Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted the Chess Olympiad torch from Arkady Dvorkovich, President of World Chess Federation (FIDE) even as a thunderous applause broke out at the Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium, New Delhi.
The game which originated in India as Chaturanga more than 1500 years back, was back home with a bang- bigger and better after traversing thousands of kilometres to be acknowledged, lauded and celebrated once again.
This also signalled that India is all geared up to host the 44th Chess Olympiad at Chennai from 28 July to 10 August, the biggest ever sports spectacle in the country.
It was a stand-still, poignant moment as a new tradition was set up after almost 100 years with this launching of this Chess Olympiad flame. A record shattering 189 countries associated with FIDE and registered for this edition of the Chess Olympiad, tuned in live to witness this historic occasion even as more than a billion hearts warmed up in pride, if not from the glow of the flame.
The PM then passed on the brightly lit torch to five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand who had single-handedly ushered in a chess revolution in India. The Torch run will travel to 75 cities all over India and at every location the Grandmasters of the state will receive the torch. The Olympiad flame represents the light of spirit, knowledge and life and by passing the flame from one person to another in stages, the Torch relay expresses the handing down of the symbolic fire from generation to generation.
“It is a great pleasure for India to kick start this Chess Olympiad with a first of it’s kind Torch Relay, Chess is our ancient game and now this will help country’s youth to redefine the popularity of this sport,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the event, TN Sports Minister Siva V Meyyanathan said, We are well prepared to kickstart the main tournament in our state , all the necessary arrangements have been made under the guidance of our CM’.
It is indeed historic to have the first torch relay for Chess Olympiad and same to Originate from India for all Olympiad , It is a moment of utmost pride for me and the entire federation. Indian teams are also equally excited to experience this moment, looking forward the main event at Chennai, Mahabalipuram. TN govt is already working on making exceptional host for the chess Olympiad, AICF Secretary and Olympiad director Bharath Singh Chauhan said during the event.