Port Blair, July 24: Historic 44th Chess Olympiad Torch Relay which was launched by the Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi on 19th June 2022 at New Delhi reached Port Blair today the 24th July 2022.
As India is celebrating its 75th year of independence, the 44th Chess Olympiad Torch is being taken to 75 iconic cities of India before culminating at Mahabalipuram Chennai, the host city of the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad which is being held from July 28 to August 10,2022.
The Chess Olympiad torch was brought by Grandmaster Neelotpal Das and handed over to the Chief Guest, Shri Jitendra Narain, Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Administration in a function that was held in the premises of Historic Cellular Jail, Port Blair. The chief guest in return handed over the torch to Kashthuri Bhai an emerging chess player of the A&N Islands in presence of Grandmaster and other dignitaries.
During his address, the Chief Secretary appreciated the young budding chess players who brought laurels to A&N Islands and promised to introduce chess in School (CiS) Porgrame in eleven selected schools of A&N Islands where the children will study chess as one of the subjects. He also assured to setup a chess academy in A&N Islands.
Earliest Shri. C Ashok, President, Andaman Nicobar Chess Association welcomed the gathering and highlighted the activities being carried out by the Andaman Nicobar Chess Association in A & N Islands.
The programme was concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by IAS Vadhita Reddy, Secretary, (Education & Sports).