Pakistan backs out of Chess Olympiad in India over torch passing through J&K

Pakistan has backed out of the 44th Chess Olympiad being held in Chennai accusing India of trying to politicise the tournament by holding the torch relay in Jammu and Kashmir.

The relay was held in Srinagar on June 21.

Pakistan in a statement said that by holding the Chess Olympiad torch relay in Srinagar India had utterly disregarded the 'globally acknowledged disputed status of the territory' and committed an international travesty.

Pakistan accused India of a 'mischievous attempt to mix politics with sports' and said it will take up the matter with the International Chess Federation.

The neighbouring country also raised the issue of abrogation of Article 370 and urged international community to call upon India to reverse the decision.

The announcement by Pakistan came two days after it said a 10-member team would travel to Chennai for the tournament.

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