Balod district in Chhattisgarh has become the first to commence a ‘Chess in School’ pilot project in the country, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Saturday.
In Bastar and Surguja divisions also, regular training on chess is being imparted to students, he said.
In Dantewada, a Naxalite hub, in ‘Aastha’ school regular chess training is being imparted to students.
Chess should commence in all schools as it will help develop children intellectually, Baghel told a reception event of Chess Olympiad Torch Relay at Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Auditorium here.
Earlier, the maiden torch relay was accorded a rousing welcome from the airport to the auditorium. People and children showered flowers along the route of the relay. Raipur is the 61st destination of the torch relay.
Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Umesh Patel welcomed the torch bearer and Arjuna Awardee Grand Master Pravin Thipsay and his team on arrival at the airport.
The torch was carried on a vintage car accompanied by a contingent of motorcyclists carrying the national flag in the form of a relay passing through the main routes of Raipur.
Welcome events were organised at Telibandha pond and at Nagar Ghadi Chowk.
Thipsay handed over the torch to the Chief Minister.
Addressing the gathering, Thipsay said for the first time the event is being organised in India.
Around 2,000 participants from 188 countries will take part in the 44th Chess Olympiad scheduled from July 28 to August 10 at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.
Thipsay also played chess with children. The torch was then taken to Hyderabad.