PM Modi declares 44th Chess Olympiad open in Chennai, says 'India’s best time in sports is now'

There had never been a better time for sports in India than the present, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Chennai on Thursday inaugurating the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad here in Chennai.

Inaugurating the Olympiad at Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, the PM noted India had its best-ever performances in the Olympics, Paralympics and Deaflympics.

“We achieved glory even in sports where we had not won earlier. Today sports is seen as a great profession of choice. India’s sporting culture is becoming stronger due to the perfect mix of two important factors – the energy of youth and enabling environment,” he said.

Talented youngsters especially from small towns and villages are bringing glory. It was heartening to see women at the lead of India’s sports revolution.

Crediting administrative framework, incentive structure and infrastructure for this, the PM also noted the Chess Olympiad was taking place at a time the country was gearing up to celebrate the 'Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav' marking 75 years of freedom from colonial rule.

It was to mark this, the Chess Olympiad torch relay travelled to 75 iconic locations, on an over 27,000 km journey uniting the minds of youngsters and motivating them to take up chess. The torch relay for the olympiad will always start from India from now, a gesture for which the Prime Minister thanked the FIDE.

Modi noted that the 44th Chess Olympiad had been a tournament of many firsts and records.

“This is the first time the Chess Olympiad is being held in the place of origin of chess in India. It is coming to Asia for the first time in three decades. It has the highest ever number of countries participating with the highest ever number of teams participating and also the highest number of entries in the women’s sections. The first-ever torch relay of the Chess Olympiad was also started this time. This Chess Olympiad will be in memory forever,” he said.

Sports has always been considered divine in Indian culture and Tamil Nadu had a temple of Chathurang Vallabhnathar where there is an interesting story related to chess – that of God playing a game of chess with the princess,” the Prime Minister said and hailed Tamil Nadu as the Chess powerhouse in India.

“Sports is beautiful because it had inherent power to unite. Sports brings people and societies closer. Sports nurtures a spirit of teamwork. Two years ago the world began to fight the biggest pandemic in the century. For a long time, life came to standstill. In such times it was various sports tournaments which brought the world together. Each tournament gave the important message we are stronger when together, we are better when together,” Modi observed.

The post-COVID period, the Prime Minister said, had made us realise the importance of fitness and wellness - both physical and mental. “That is why it is important to encourage sporting talents and invest in sporting infrastructure,” he added.

He also noted the Commonwealth Games were being inaugurated in the UK today.

Modi said, “In sports, there are no losers. There are winners and there are future winners. I wish all the teams and players gathered here for the very best.”

Chief Minister M K Stalin, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Governor R N Ravi and other dignitaries participated.