A 10-member Pakistani chess team is set to compete in the prestigious 45th Chess Olympiad, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10 to 23.
The team, made up of five male and five female players, is ready to showcase their skills on the global stage. This year’s Olympiad is expected to host participants from 190 countries, making it one of the largest chess events in the world.
The Pakistan Chess Federation is optimistic about the team’s readiness, although two players are still waiting for their visas.
The team will be accompanied by Salim Akhtar and Shujaat Ali, the two non-playing members.
The men’s team includes Mufaz Khalid, Amer Karim, Momin Faizan, Muhammad Luqman Beg, and Mudassir Iqbal, all of whom participated in various national chess events.
The women’s team includes Shahba Shah, Zanobia Wasif, Mehak Gul, Sehrish and 12-year-old Ayat Asmi. Shahba Shah will receive special assistance from the World Chess Federation (FIDE) due to her physical disability.
The Pakistan Chess Federation promotes chess in schools and communities, hoping to nurture young talents like Ayat Asmi. If the team performs well in the Olympics, it could be a boost to the popularity of the sport in Pakistan.