Sports Minister along with International Chess Federation FIDE president handed off Torch Relay for 45th Chess Olympiad

Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur along with International Chess Federation FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich today handed off Torch Relay for the 45th Chess Olympiad at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The 44th Chess Olympiad was hosted in Chennai, India and 45th edition will be hosted by Hungary in Budapest. 

Speaking on the occasion Mr Thakur said, Chess is an intellectual legacy that India proudly offers to the world. He said, it is not merely a sport but a reflection of strategic depth and philosophical wisdom. The Minister said, India hosted Chess Olympiad with a great passion and all States participated in the Torch Relay in the country. He recalled his meeting FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich in Delhi in February 2022 and during the meeting it was decided to host the Chess Olympiad in India. Mr Thakur said, it looked impossible to do it within few months, but in India everything is possible. He said, India not only hosted the 44th Chess Olympiad but hosted it with a style. The Minister said, with exceptional emerging talents and the mentorship of legends like Viswanathan Anand, India's ascent in the world of chess shows no signs of slowing down. He said, in future, whatever required for Chess will be done by Government of India.