In an incident of first-hand embarrassment, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) has lost the Chess Olympiad Trophy for best contingent won by India in the last edition.
The trophy known as the ‘Nona Gaprindashvili Cup’ went missing from the office of AICF, forcing the sports body to arrange for a replica of the prized possession and tender an apology.
It is a rolling trophy awarded to the best contingent. The incident came to light when the International Chess Federation (FIDE) asked for the trophy to be brought to Budapest.
AICF vice-president Anil Kumar Raizada told PTI that the trophy has been missing for over a month and it came after the International Chess Federation (FIDE) had asked for the trophy to be brought to Budapest.
“After we received a request from FIDE for the trophy to be brought, we could not trace it for over 30 days. As a result, we have filed an official police complaint, and an investigation will follow,” he said.
The contingency plan is in place to get a replacement trophy which has been ordered for the current edition.
The new office bearers of AICF who took charge on 10th March 2024 are unaware of the whereabouts of the trophy while the previous office bearers are not commenting on it.
The officials have reportedly checked at all the places including Delhi and Chennai offices of AICF, asked players about the trophy, and checked the hotel where it was last seen only to return with no answer from anywhere.
The current edition of the Olympiad got underway on September 10 and is set to conclude on September 23.
A total of 197 teams representing 195 national federations are presently competing in the event.