Prime Minister Narendra Modi declares FIDE 44th Chess Olympiad open on Thursday

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Thursday declared the FIDE 44th Chess Olympiad open and also provided a strong message of encouragement for the players taking part in the tournament.

The Chess Olympiad is being held by India during a special time as this year will mark the country’s 75th year of independence from colonial rule.

The tournament will be held in Mamallapuram, which is 50 kilometres away from the city of Chennai. The Olympiad is being held for the first time in India, after being moved from Russia following the Ukraine invasion. This year’s edition has already a record number of entries in the Open section with 188 and the women’s section with 162.

Prime Minister Modi started his address by uttering the greeting word in Tamil, vannakam. He also assured that the best hospitality would be provided for the players by quoting the slogan ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’, which means that we treat our guests like gods. The Prime Minister cited Tamil saint poet Tiruvalluvar’s couplet on the significance of hospitality.

Also during the address at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Modi said it was an honour to host the event during an important year in India’s history.

The Prime Minister of the country also had a few words of encouragement for the players. As quoted by PTI, he told the participants that in sports, there are no losers and there are only winners and future winners.

“In sports there are no losers, there are winners and there are future winners,” said Modi.

The Prime Minister also heaped praise on the organizers for making outstanding arrangements within a short period of time. The Tamil Nadu government will be hosting the event with the full backing from the central government.

The Governor of Tamil Nadu R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin, Union Ministers Anurag Thakur and L Murugan were other important personalities who were present at the opening ceremony.

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