Three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first-ever Chess Olympiad torch relaythe torch reached Dharamshala on Wednesday.

Minister for youth affairs and sports activities Anurag Thakur obtained the torch and handed it over to grandmaster Deep Sengupta. The torch will journey to Shimla subsequent. As many as 189 international locations are collaborating within the forty fourth version of the chess occasion, which can be held at Mahabalipuram close to Chennai from July 28 to August 10.

Speaking on the event, Thakur mentioned, “The torch relay will help raise awareness among the youth about the game of chess, whose origins can be traced to India.”

“The Union government has increased the sports budget by 305 crore year and 138 crore has been earmarked under the Khelo India program to provide budding athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent. The incentives and prize money has also been increased so that players do not face any kind of trouble.”

Taking to Twitter, Thakur said, “Torch brings awareness, brings light to the masses. Welcomed #ChessOlympiadTorchRelay to Dharamsala. Not only hope but also full faith that this torch will increase awareness about chess game, will inspire more and more people to play chess and join it.”

State youth companies sports activities minister Rakesh Pathania mentioned that Dharamshala and Shimla had been chosen to host the Chess Olympiad Torch Relay was a matter of pleasure for the state. MLA Vishal Nehria mentioned Dharamshala is quickly creating as a sports activities metropolis and has hosted a number of national-level sporting occasions.

The occasion was attended by Sports Authority of India govt director Lalita Sharma, Chess Federation normal secretary Bharat Chauhan, Chess Federation state president Arun Kamboj.

The torch will journey via 75 cities in 40 days earlier than reaching Tamil Nadu.