A heartwarming moment unfolded at the 2024 Chess Olympiad when members of Pakistan’s chess team were seen holding India’s flag alongside Indian players. The gesture, captured on video, quickly went viral on social media, receiving positive reactions from both nations and emphasizing the unifying spirit of sports.
India’s chess teams made history at the Olympiad, with both the men’s and women’s teams winning gold in their respective categories. This remarkable double victory is being celebrated as one of India’s greatest sporting achievements. Among the celebratory videos, the one showing Pakistan’s players holding the Indian flag stood out, garnering widespread appreciation online.
Sporting relations between India and Pakistan often draw intense attention, but this gesture was seen as a symbol of friendship and sportsmanship. It contrasted with a previous viral incident during the Asian Champions Trophy, where Pakistan’s hockey players were seen holding China’s flag before their match against India, sparking negative reactions. In this case, however, the chess gesture was lauded for transcending political boundaries.
After their triumph in Budapest, India’s victorious chess teams met with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who praised their achievements. The men’s team, led by D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, secured victory against Slovenia, while the women’s team claimed gold after defeating Azerbaijan.
Mandaviya commended the teams for making the nation proud and honoring India’s chess legacy. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to nurturing talent in all sports, with the goal of placing India among the top five sporting nations by 2024. Sporting accomplishments like these, he said, would play a key role in shaping India’s global identity.
