Pakistan Boycotts Israel Match at Chess Olympiad
Pakistan Refuses to Face Israel at Samarkand Chess Olympiad
SAMARKAND: (Mudassar Iqbal) – Pakistan declined to play its scheduled opening-round match against Israel at the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) citing the country’s official policy toward Israel and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The Pakistan-Israel encounter was scheduled for Wednesday in the opening round of the prestigious international team event. Pakistan did not take part in the match, resulting in a 4-0 walkover for Israel.
CFP President Syed Zeeshan Naqvi said Pakistan had a clear and consistent policy regarding Israel and that the federation could not participate in a fixture that conflicted with the government’s position.
“We have boycotted the match to express solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Naqvi said, adding that Pakistan would continue participating in international sporting events while adhering to the government’s official stance on Israel.
The decision came as the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad got underway in Samarkand. The tournament runs from September 15 to 27, with the competitive rounds beginning on September 16. FIDE says 208 teams are competing in the Open section and 192 teams in the Women’s section.
Pakistan’s Open team is captained by Raja Gauhar, while its lineup includes FM Muhammad Waqar, FM Amer Karim, CM Mafaaz Khalid, Zaman Sohail and Zorez Shabkhez, according to tournament records.
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