Will promote chess in Odisha, says CM Naveen Patnaik

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said Odisha plans to promote chess in schools and colleges in a professional manner.
He was speaking at an event to mark the arrival of the first-ever relay torch for the Chess Olympiad here. “We intend to further strengthen the game across the state, especially in schools. This is a game which can be easily spread as not much infrastructure or equipment is required,” Naveen said.
“We will hold competitions at the school and college-level regularly and promote the game in a professional manner,” he added.
The CM further said it’s a proud moment for India as it is hosting an international sport event like the Chess Olympiad in its 75th year of Independence, scheduled in Chennai from July 28 to August 10. More than 2,000 participants from 187 countries are likely to participate in the event.
Naveen handed over the relay torch to Padmini Rout, a chess player from the state. Earlier, chess player Kiran Manisha Mohanty brought the relay torch to Loka Seva Bhawan and handed it over to the chief patron of the All Odisha Chess Association, Achyuta Samanta. The CM received the torch from Samant.