PM Modi declares 44th Chess Olympiad open in Chennai; Says Tamil Nadu is chess powerhouse of India

PM Modi declares 44th Chess Olympiad open in Chennai; Says Tamil Nadu is chess powerhouse of India

Tweeted by AIR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 44th Chess Olympiad at Chennai in Tamil Nadu yesterday evening. International, National and State level Chess masters participated in the colourful inaugural event. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Chief Minister MK Stalin, Union Ministers Anurag Thakur, and Minister of State L Murugan participated in the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared in the traditional Tamil attire of dhoti and checked angawasthra.

The Olympiad torch which crossed the 75 iconic cities of the Country was brought to the Stadium by five-time world chess champion Vishwanathan Anand and was handed over to Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister MK Stalin and was later given to the chess prodigy Grandmaster Rameshbabu Pragnananda.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister stressed encouraging sporting talent and infrastructure in the country.

Hailing Tamil Nadu’s strong historical connection with chess, the Prime Minister asserted that the place at which it is happening is most fitted. He expressed hope that the 44th Chess Olympiad will be an enriching experience for everyone.

Speaking at the inauguration, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said that it was a memorable moment to witness the various cultures representing the states of India.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has said that the Narendra Modi-led Government was striving to identify and nurture talents all over the Country. Talking to AIR News, Mr. Thakur said that India had already held the Under 17 Men’s World Chess championship successfully and the Under 17 women’s championship is to be held in October this year. He said that it was a proud moment when the first ever torch relay was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. Mr. Thakur informed that the Government was keen on bringing the best talents to the international arena to provide training for the sportspersons in the Country. He told that the Centre was also successful in promoting the traditional games at international levels and was working on long-term plans to have a trajectory path in sports.