Pakistan's national team refused to play against Israel in the first round of the 46th Chess Olympiad currently underway in Samarkand. Since no games were played on any of the four boards, Pakistan was recorded with a technical loss and Israel awarded a 4-0 victory.
The leadership of the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) said the decision was in line with the government's official policy and was intended as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
"How can we play against or engage with a country we do not recognize as a state? This is our government's policy. We are representing Pakistan here and are bound to follow its guidelines. This decision is not directed against any athlete or against the principles of sport," CFP Secretary-General Gauhar Iqbal said in an interview with ChessBase India.
CFP President Syed Zeeshan Naqvi likewise stressed that the boycott was meant to show support for Palestinians.
According to reports, Pakistan did not field a single player for the match against Israel. Despite the incident, the team is continuing its participation in the tournament against other opponents.
