The much anticipated Schools4Chess Children Day Tournament organised on Children’s Day by Chess Academy Ibadan, ended in fanfare as Amao Group of Schools emerged victorious with 25.5 points carting away the gold trophy while Dayspring Schools and Top Rank Intellectual came second and third respectively.

Eleven schools including Dayspring Schools, B & B Int’l Schools, Top Rank Intellectual Academy, Amao Group of Schools, Positive Impact College, Dainty Oaks School, St Brigid’s Secondary School, Amaanah Integrated School, Divine Heritage School, and Orita-mefa Baptish Model School participated in the One-day tournament.

According to the organiser of the tournament, Ademola ‘Origa’ Bamigbelu, the main reason behind the tournament is to engaged the children as earlier as possible in the rudiment of the game of Chess which is an educational tools, will develop their thinking faculties and make them useful to the country.

“My intention on chess is to see as many children as possible get involved with chess as earlier as possible because this will not only make them grow up with great thinking abilities but, it will put the nation on a positive path. Great nations that are doing great exploit have their kids go through the process of expanding their reasoning earlier through many activities and chess is a major one.

“Chess is an educational tool, it helps in a tremendous way to the development of our kids and Nation. We appreciate those who have supported us including Alliance Française Ibadan, NASCO Group, and many others. We are looking forward to other event.

We had a wonderful edition in which we are not even sure of what it will look like , however, it was a scintillating program and we promise to make it an annual event.” Bamigbelu, who is a renowned photojournalist said.

Speaking further, Bamigbelu said for the children to have an avenue to learn the game, that is why he established the Chess Academy which offered them the opportunity to learn under a conducive environment.

“Chess Academy Ibadan runs teaching classes weekly and every Saturday at Alliance Française, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

We give them training the kids needed in a safe and conducive environment,” he added.

Also speaking at the tournament, Tiwalade Fatungase, Experiential Marketing manager of NASCO foods, said the reason the company is supporting the tournament is because of the educational quality of the programme and NASCO always associate with end programme that can develop our children.

“The tournament is a noble course and it’s educational. Anything that is educational, NASCO wants to be a part of that project because NASCO cornflakes is full of nourishment, vitamins for the kids which I believe will help them to develop their brains mentally and physically so that’s why we decided to partner with the project,” Fatungase said.

Speaking further, Fatungase said “It’s an eye opener, I want to believe this should be a yearly thing which I believe NASCO will also be a part of the project. It’s a nice thing, I was overwhelmed with the number of school children that I saw.

From age range of ten upward; I was amazed, it’s a noble cause and I want the organisers to make it a yearly thing so that other well Nigerians can partner.”

In the final medals table signed by the Tournament Director, Olabode Sofoluwe, in the primary school female category, Aishat Nurudeen of Dayspring School came first, Obafemi Vania of B&B School, second and Oyewale Blessing of Amao Group of Schools came third while in the male category, Oluwafunmire Ogunbayo of B&B Schools came first, Onatoyinbo Daniel of Top Rank Intellectual came second and Adebisi Emmanuel of Dayspring Schools came third.

In the secondary school female category, Folorunsho Imisioluwa of Positive Impact College came first, Bello Fatimat of Amao Group of Schools was second and Roqebat Taofeek of Dayspring Schools came third while in the male category, Sambo Joseph of St Brigid’s School came first, Oluwadamilare Solomon of Positive Impact College was second and Mufutau Waris of Dayspring Schools came third.

  Amao Group of Schools, Bamigbelu Ademola Origa, Ibadan, Oyo State, Schools4Chess Children Day Tournament