Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur Passes Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest, Hungary
Chess Olympiad Torch relay concludes as Anurag Thakur and Vishwanathan Anand engage in a friendly match, passing the torch to Budapest, Hungary.
In a momentous ceremony, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, handed over the Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest, Hungary, the official host for the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad. The torch relay, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 19, 2022, culminated at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in the national capital.
At the handover event, Sports Minister Thakur, along with Indian Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand, engaged in a friendly game of chess against FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Hungarian Grand Master Judit Polgar before officially presenting the Olympiad torch to the FIDE President and Budapest.
Expressing his delight, Minister Thakur remarked, “I am delighted that what we decided a few years back (to have Chess Olympiad Torch Relay) actually happened, and that I am here at the handoff ceremony of the Torch for the Chess Olympiad.” He emphasized the intellectual legacy that India contributes to the world through chess, highlighting its significance beyond just a sport. Thakur praised chess as a reflection of strategic depth and philosophical wisdom, shaping not only the mind but instilling lessons of patience and resilience.
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The 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad was hosted in Chennai in 2022, drawing over 2500 players and 7000 participants from around the globe. The FIDE Chess Olympiad, an esteemed global event, will now unfold in Budapest, Hungary, this year, as officially announced earlier.
As the Chess Olympiad Torch journeys from India to Hungary, it symbolizes the rich intellectual heritage and strategic prowess embedded in the sport, fostering a global celebration of chess mastery.
–IANS