Chennai, July 29 (Ajit Weekly News) The members of Pakistan chess team – players and officials- had landed here on Thursday morning and went back home the same night, All India Chess Federation (AICF) officials said.
“The Pakistani teams were supposed to reach here on July 27. It seems they had missed their connecting flight and landed here on July 28 morning,” AICF Secretary and 44th Chess Olympiad Tournament Director Bharat Singh Chauhan told Ajit Weekly News.
According to him, the officials of Pakistan’s chess federation too have gone back and will not be participating in the International Chess Federation/FIDE Congress.
“The Pakistani team had left for their country yesterday (Thursday) night,” All India Chess Federation President Sanjay Kapoor told Ajit Weekly News.
“It is certainly unfortunate that the Pakistan government decided to withdraw its teams from the Olympiad,” he added.
According to Kapoor, the Pakistani players were sad on hearing the news of their team’s withdrawal from the Olympiad.
It is not known whether the International Chess Federation/FIDE is contemplating any action.
On Thursday, the Pakistan government announced its decision to call back its chess teams – Open and Women- from participating in the Chess Olympiad, which started on time near here on Friday evening.
–Ajit Weekly News
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