New Delhi: A day after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, India’s chess champions were felicitated by Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Raksha Khadse in New Delhi.
The Ministers felicitated the Indian chess contingent which claimed two gold medals at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest. The felicitation event celebrated the landmark achievements of both the men’s and women’s teams, whose victories brought immense pride to the country.
India scripted history on Sunday by becoming only the third nation after China and the erstwhile Soviet Union to win twin gold medals in a single edition of the Chess Olympiad.
Mansukh Mandaviya lauded the players and underlined India’s age-old connection with chess and stated that the game originated in India and is an integral part of the country’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
“By winning on the global stage, you have not only made the entire nation proud but have also honoured the legacy of our traditional heritage,” he remarked.
The Sports Minister also assured the chess champions of the government’s focus on sports development and claimed that India aspires to be among the top five countries in the world in sports by 2024.
WATCH THE BEST MOMENTS FROM THE CEREMONY
Glimpses📷 of the felicitation ceremony of our #ChessOlympiad champions👇, chaired by HMYAS Dr. @mansukhmandviya Ji and Hon’ble MoS, @khadseraksha Ji at @SAI_JLNDelhi.
Gratitude🫡 to our leaders for recognizing the hard work and dedication of our players.
Super proud of you,… pic.twitter.com/l98ynkr70a
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) September 26, 2024
The Union Minister also engaged in a friendly chess match with D Gukesh Dommaraju, who played the game blindfolded.
Played chess with champions! ♟️
Even blindfolded, their moves can checkmate you. pic.twitter.com/nn0CJFbbtp
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 26, 2024
Landmark moment for Indian chess
India achieved a landmark moment in chess history after clinching two gold medals from the event – in the open category won by the men’s team and a gold in the women’s category.
The men and women defeated Slovenia and Azerbaijan respectively in the final rounds to clinch the titles. The Indian men won 10 out of 11 in the Open section, drawing only once against the defending champions Uzbekistan, topping the table with 21 points. Meanwhile, Indian women won 9 out of 11 matches, drew against Team USA and lost to Team Poland, topping the table with 19 points.
Four Indian players claimed individual gold medals – Gukesh D. on Board 1, Arjun Erigaisi on Board 3 in the Men’s section, Divya Deshmukh on Board 3 and Vantika Agrawal on Board 4 in the Women’s section.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian chess contingent which claimed two gold medals at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
