The Secretary, Nigeria
Chess Federation (NCF), Bidemi Ganiyu-Opolo, has in Lagos said the federation was set to reposition the sport at the grassroots.
Ganiyu-Opolo told newsmen that the new NCF board, led by Olalekun Adeyemi as President, would strive to enhance the development of the sport.
“Very soon, we will come out with our programme to reposition the chess sport at the grassroots.
“We are putting our plan of action together and we will come out with a robust programme that will make an impact on the sport at the grassroots,’’ she said.
Also, John Fawole, winner of the just-concluded Nigerian Breweries International Open Chess Championship, called on well-meaning individuals to partner the Chess Players Association (CPAN) in sponsoring monthly competitions.
Fawole said the monthly chess tournament organised by the association had helped in improving his game.
“Our monthly tournament has helped me a great deal. It helped me to win the NB Open Chess Competition.
“Most times, I depend on the monthly chess tournament to improve on my skills, and finally it has paid off because it helped me to win the tournament.
“Now, everybody has stepped up their game because they now see reason in the fact that the monthly tournament can help improve on their skills,’’ he said.
Fawole said it was possible to hold the tournament weekly if there were more sponsors.
“Yes, it will be better if we can play weekly, but I also understand that we will need more sponsors.
“It will certainly help us. I am sure that our executive will not relent in that regard,” he said.