KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, bade farewell to Nepali squads participating in the 44th Chess Olympiad 2022 amidst a program in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

The competition is taking place on July 28-August 9 in Chennai, India.

On the occasion, the Minister, also the chair of Nepal Olympic Committee, urged the teams to participate in the even confidently and wished for their success.

The men’s team led by Dhan Bahadur Bogatai comprises Purushottam Chaulagain, Rupesh Jaysawal, Kshitiz Bhandari, Bibek Thing and Milan Lama.

Nepal has been participating in the Chess Olympiad (in men’s category) since 36th Olympiad held in Spain in 2004 and in women’s category since 41st Norway Olympiad in 2014.

The women’s team comprises Sujana Lohani, Kritisara Adhikari, Anisha Neupane, Binita Kapali and Shanti Dhimal.

Similarly, Nepal Chess Association Chair Bidur Prasad Gautam is representing Nepal in the 93rd Fide Congress of International Chess Federation (FIDE) scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 9.

The Congress will elect a new leadership for the Federation.

Association senior vice-chair Rajendra Prasad Rijal, vice chair Narayan Das Gamal, and treasurer Gyanendra Maharjan will leave for Chennai on Wednesday to take part in various meetings to be held on the sidelines of the Congress.