PM Modi flags off first-ever torch relay for Chess Olympiad

Tribune News Service

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the inaugural torch relay for the 44th Chess Olympiad in New Delhi on Sunday. FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich handed the torch to the PM, who then passed it to Grand Master Viswanathan Anand.

The torch will travel to 75 cities in 40 days before reaching Mahabalipuram, Chennai, which is hosting the Chess Olympiad.

Addressing the gathering at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the PM said that it was a proud moment for the country that the first ever torch relay was being held in India. “We are happy that the first torch relay will start from India. This is also the first time India will host a Chess Olympiad. It is a proud moment that the sport which was born here, and has left its mark all over the world is returning to India,” PM Modi said.

“We are celebrating 75th year of Indian Independence. This torch will be taken to 75 cities and I am honoured and happy at FIDE’s decision to give us this opportunity. Importantly, this torch relay will always start from India henceforth. This is a great honour for our country and our history for which I thank the FIDE and its members. To the players who will be appearing in the 44th Chess Olympiad, I would like to say, play well and fair,” he added.

At the start of the programme, both PM Modi and FIDE president Dvorkovich were welcomed with a shawl and memento by All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Sanjay Kapoor. The PM also played a ceremonial move on a chessboard with GM Koneru Humpy.

Sports minister Anurag Thakur and his deputy Nisith Pramanik, besides many foreign digatories were present at the inaugural torch relay.

PM Modi further said that the game of chess has a deeper meaning in everyday life.

“Friends, the game of chess teaches you to plan long term. One should never plan for short-term success rather plan long term and you can win big,” he said.

He also lauded the sports policy and said that the country is already seeing the results in this regard. “We have a robust sports policy here and TOPS and Khelo India programmes are working on the same principle of long term planning. We can already see the results. In the Tokyo Olympics, we won seven medals. At the Paralympics, we won 19 medals. We did well in the Deaf Olympics as well. Recently, we won the Thomas Cup in badminton. Three women boxers won medals at the World Championships. Neeraj Chopra won another medal and made another national record. We are already targeting the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” he said. 

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