Tournament cancelled

BHUBANESWAR, SEPT. 24. The All India FIDE rated chess tournament scheduled to begin in Puri on Monday was cancelled following the death of five chess players in a road accident near Sakhigopal, near Puri on Sunday.

The host, Spassky Club of Puri, announced the cancellation of the six-day tournament. Nearly, 200 participants had come to the holy city to participate in the event, according to its convener Sekhar Sahu.

- UNI

Bharti expresses shock

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 24. Sports minister Uma Bharti on Monday expressed shock at the tragic death of five promising junior chess players, including two Asian under-10 champions, in a gruesome road accident near Puri (Orissa) on Sunday evening. ``It is really very sad and unfortunate, for children are the future of the nation. We were looking forward to stirring deeds from these youngsters in the international chess arena. I express my heart-felt condolences to the aggrieved family members,'' Bharti said.

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