CHESS Olympiad Torch Relay, that is being held on the lines of Olympics Torch Relay for first time in the event’s history, was welcomed with zeal in the city upon its arrival on Saturday morning. Among world’s biggest chess events, the 44th edition of Chess Olympiad will be held in Mahabalipuram in Chennai from July 28 to August 10, 2022. The historic relay was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from New Delhi on June 19 for the mega event that is being hosted as part of the ongoing ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ as India is celebrating and commemorating its 75th year of independence.

 

 

Nagpur is among the 75 cities across the country that got a chance to welcome the torch. The torch arrived in the city at 6 am by flight and was received by city’s two Grandmasters — Raunak Sadhwani and Sankalp Gupta along with Woman Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh. From the administration, Deputy Director Sports Shekhar Patil, SAI Centre Divisional Director Sushmita Jyotishi and Uday Bir were prominently present. Taking out a rally from the airport, the torch was brought at Zero Mile. District Sports Officer Pallavi Dhatrak welcomed the torch at the historic place. The torch was also warmly received by Bhushan Shriwas, Secretary, Chess Association Nagpur; D Jaiprakash Duble, former Deputy Director Sports; international players, various sports associations, NCC cadets, Piyush Ambulkar, Sports Officer, NMC. From there on, Vimala R, District Collector, along with other dignitaries took a rally carrying the torch to Samvidhan Square, Aakashwani Square, Maharaj Bagh, Law College, Ravi Nagar, Wadi T-point, Hingna Link Road and finally to GH Raisoni College of Engineering and Technology.

 

At the main venue, torch was accorded a warm welcome by Divisional Commissioner Dr Madhavi Khode, Maharashtra Chess Association’s Vice-President Girish Vyas, Raisoni’s Vivek Kapur and CAN President Nishant Gandhi. Patil made introductory remarks. Khode and Vimala R also addressed the gathering terming the event as historic and a moment of pride for the city. Prof Bisen and Maya Duble conducted the proceedings while Dhatrak proposed a vote of thanks. After the event ended with national anthem, the torch was handed back to the GMs for its further journey. Police Commissioner, NMC, members of chess associations, District General Hospital, Traffic Control Branch, Raisoni College, District Sports Office, Nehru Yuva Kendra and others worked hard to make the event a memorable one.