Strategic Showdown: Over 200 Schools Vie for N15 Million in #Ecobank’s #Chess Championship

Strategic Showdown: Over 200 Schools Vie for N15 Million in #Ecobank’s #Chess Championship

Lagos Gears Up for Ecobank’s National Chess Championship with Over 200 Schools Competing for a N15 Million Prize – Ecobank Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigeria Chess Federation, is set to launch the much-anticipated National Schools’ Team Chess Championship. Scheduled to commence on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, this prestigious event welcomes students from all educational levels to compete for a generous prize fund exceeding N15 million.

Vice President, Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole said he is impressed by the excitement and enthusiasm the competition has generated from the target groups and members of the public, stating that every arrangement had been put in place to make the competition a huge success.

“We are impressed with the level of interest schools are showing towards the competition judging by the registration so far. As we speak, over 200 schools which cut across primary, secondary, and tertiary schools from all over the country have registered for the competition. It’s going to be an exciting time. All arrangements are in place to make the competition exciting and fulfilling for the competitors and indeed all stakeholders. We encourage Nigerians from all walks of life, especially sports enthusiasts to attend the event and support teams of their choice as a way of encouraging young people to aim for the best”. He stated.

He said reiterated that Chess more than just a pastime, stating that it is an educational tool that enhances critical thinking, concentration, and problem-solving skills.

Mr. Adewole also paid tribute to popular chess master, Tunde Onakoya, who recently broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon in New York’s Times Square, United States, noting that the global acclaim was a further proof that Chess is not a pastime sport but a tool for social inclusion and development.

Strategic Showdown: Over 200 Schools Vie for N15 Million in #Ecobank’s #Chess Championship

He enjoined interested institutions that are yet to register to do so by sending an email to: nationalschoolsteamchess@gmail.com. “Registration is absolutely free. Take advantage of this opportunity to participate in the prestigious event. It  will provide an enriching experience for the participating students, apart from the prizes to be won, there is also an opportunity to represent Nigeria at the world chess competition.”