The torch relay of the 44th Chess Olympiad flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 19 reached Bhopal on Monday. The torch rally led by Grand Master Anurag Mahamal reached TT Nagar Stadium, where it was welcomed by Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia.
Minister Scindia said that Chess Olympiad is going to be held for the first time in India. About 2,000 players from 187 countries will give their performance from July 28 to August 10 at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. Scindia said that it is a matter of pride for the country that Chess was born in India, presently Chess Olympiad is being held again in India after many years. She said that this is an opportunity for Madhya Pradesh as the Chess Olympiad torch will leave for New Delhi after passing through prominent cities of the state including Ujjain, Indore, Bhopal, Sanchi and Gwalior.
Sports Minister Scindia said that there are 74 Grand Masters of Chess in the country. Many players will be encouraged by the Olympiad to be held in India. She said that time comes for every game, now it is time for chess in India.
Grand Master Anurag Mahamal handed over the torch of the 44th Chess Olympiad to Sports Minister Scindia who further handed it over to Head of Chess Association Adhoc Committee Gurmeet Singh. In the programme, Scindia spoke to the skillful child chess players and encouraged them.
Principal Secretary Sports & Youth Welfare Dipti Goud Mukherjee, Former Director CBI Rishi Kumar Shukla, Director Sports & Youth Welfare Ravi Kumar Gupta, Regional Director SAI Satyajit Sankrit, International Master of Chess Akshat Khampariya, a large number of players and sports lovers were present.