By Rukayat Moisemhe
The Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) has urged the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) (Chartered) to sustain its Schools Chess Championship initiative.
NCF Vice-President, Adeyinka Adewole, made the call on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the second edition in Lagos.
Adewole commended NIM for promoting grassroots chess development and exposing young players to organised competition and international standards.
He said the partnership between NIM and NCF enabled the championship to receive approval and rating from the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
“NIM should sustain the initiative and expand it to provide more opportunities for young chess talents across the country,” he said.
NIM President, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), said the championship promoted strategic thinking, discipline, sportsmanship and intellectual excellence among pupils and students.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was organised in partnership with Dynamic Chess Ville for primary and secondary school pupils across Lagos State.
No fewer than 22 schools, comprising 11 primary and 11 secondary schools, participated, with 44 contestants competing in the championship.
Ayuba explained that the competition was endorsed by NCF and rated by FIDE, with the event transmitted live to a global audience.
He said NIM planned to expand the competition beyond Lagos and make it a national championship from next year.
“The championship is designed to promote inclusivity and nurture key life skills such as strategic thinking, discipline and sportsmanship,” he said.
He said the competition also sought to foster healthy competition, empower young minds and celebrate intellectual excellence.
Ayuba commended Laterna Books, Marvel Hotel and CLE Engineering Consult Nig. Ltd. for supporting the championship with cash and product donations.
Gemliz Group of School won the secondary schools category and received the N250,000 top prize.
Kings College and Pivot Model Academy finished as first and second runners-up, respectively, in the secondary schools category.
Jareb Private School emerged champion in the primary schools category, followed by Chess in Slums and Truevine Primary School.
The winners received cash prizes, trophies and medals, while all participating schools received certificates of participation. (NAN)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo