(MOREPIC1) Chandigarh (Face2News)
The Chess Olympiad Torch, which was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from New Delhi on June 19, was arrived here on Thursday. The torch was brought by Grandmaster Deep Sengupta at Rock Garden, who handed over the torch to the Chief Guest Mr Banwari Lal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of U.T Chandigarh, in a special function being organised by the Chandigarh Chess Association and UT Chandigarh Administration at Rock Garden.
Chandigarh Mayor Sarbjit Kaur, was the guest of honour. Other dignitaries present on dais were, Sh. Anil Raina, Chairman, Chandigarh Chess Association, Grandmaster Deep Sengupta, Sanjay Tondon Chairman, Administrator's Advisory Committee on Sports, . V P Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh. Sh. Kuldeep Chahal, SSP Chandigarh.(SUBHEAD)
A simultaneous chess event was also held with GM Deep Sengupta where top 9 rated players in under 15 categories played against him. At the end of the function Naveen Bansal Vice President and Senior Chess player of Chandigarh has received torch from Mr Banwari Lal Purohit. The Torch was finally handed over to GM Deep Sengupta for next destination (Patiala)..
Mr Purohit said, “ I am extremely happy to hear that for the very first time, the world chess federation has instituted the chess Olympiad torch which is part of Olympic tradition but never done in the chess Olympiad. Our country is the first country to have the chess Olympiad Torch Relay, taking the Indian roots of chess to a greater height, he further added.
The torch will travel across 75 locations in India, starting from New Delhi – Ending at Mahabalipuram, the venue of 44th Chess Olympiad.
All-India Chess Federation is hosting the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai (First time in India) from July 26 to August 10, 2022. A total of 187 countries are participating in this Chess Olympiad.
