New Delhi

PM Modi emphasized the importance of sportsmanship as a vital aspect of everyday life while speaking to the gold medal-winning men’s and women’s chess teams from the recent Chess Olympiad. During their meeting, PM Modi shared his belief that a nation’s greatness is measured not just by its wealth or GDP but by achievements across various fields, including sports.

He recalled his time as the CM of Gujarat, where he organized events like Khel Mahakumbh to encourage sports participation among children and even older adults. Sportsmanship should be a culture for everyone, not just athletes, he noted.

Highlighting the significance of physical fitness in decision-making, PM Modi encouraged the players to seek diverse perspectives before reaching conclusions. He also stressed the importance of staying motivated, advising them to maintain a hunger for new achievements and not to settle for past successes.

The Indian women’s team made history by winning gold after defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5, while the men’s team secured gold by triumphing over Slovenia. The USA took second place in the men’s event, and Kazakhstan won silver in the women’s competition, showcasing the rising stature of Indian chess on the global stage.