New Delhi: Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Raksha Khadse, felicitated the Indian chess team for their outstanding performance at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest. The Indian team brought home two gold medals, in both the open and women’s categories, marking a significant achievement in the country’s chess history.
During the event, Dr. Mandaviya praised the chess teams for bringing immense pride and joy to the nation. He highlighted India’s deep connection with chess, noting that the game originated in India and is a key 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 honored the legacy of our traditional heritage,” he said.
The Minister emphasized India’s strength not only in manpower but also in brainpower. He assured the players that the government is committed to creating an ecosystem that nurtures talent across all sports disciplines. “We want our athletes to feel motivated to showcase their talent on the world stage and bring laurels to the nation,” Dr. Mandaviya remarked.
He also reiterated India’s ambition to be among the top five sporting nations by 2024, stating that sporting achievements will be a crucial part of the country’s global identity as it progresses towards becoming a developed nation.
Dr. Mandaviya urged the chess champions to be ambassadors for youth, encouraging them to share their stories of hard work and resilience with younger generations. “I call upon you to visit schools, colleges, and other institutions to inspire our youth. You are both youth icons and youth ambassadors, and it is your responsibility to motivate the next generation to adopt the spirit of ‘Nation First,’” he said.
He further encouraged the athletes to participate in the Viksit Bharat Ambassador – Yuva Connect Programme, aimed at channeling the energy of the youth towards nation-building and realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
In a symbolic gesture, Dr. Mandaviya played a friendly chess match with Gukesh Dommaraju, one of the young chess prodigies who has become a rising star in the game.
India’s triumph at the 45th Chess Olympiad included gold medals in both the open and women’s categories. The men’s team defeated Slovenia, while the women’s team overcame Azerbaijan to claim the titles. In the open section, India won 10 out of 11 matches, finishing with 21 points and drawing only once against the reigning champions, Uzbekistan. In the women’s section, India won 9 out of 11 matches, securing 19 points.
In addition to the team victories, four Indian players earned individual gold medals: Gukesh D. on Board 1 and Arjun Erigaisi on Board 3 in the open section, along with Divya Deshmukh on Board 3 and Vantika Agrawal on Board 4 in the women’s section.