Connect with us

Sports

Chess Players Bemoan Low Federation Activities

Published

13 years ago

on

Secretary, Chess Players Association of Nigeria
(CPAN),Charles Campbell, has said that  the lack of activities at the Nigeria Chess
Federation (NCF) has not prevented many players from training.

Campbell
told theTidesports in Lagos that he and his colleagues decided to keep
themselves busy to sustain their competitive edge.

The NCF has no programme lined up for January
and February, which has resulted in a lull in the federation’s activities.

The
FIDE Master said that since chess had become part and parcel of his daily
chores, he usually engages himself on a regular basis with other players in the
game.

“I
play chess always, even at my leisure with my children, because it is already a
part of me.

“Sometimes
when I see a fellow chess player, whether a master or not, I still play the
game because I learn more on the game, and this helps me to improve myself.

“The
fact that the federation has no activities lined up in January and February is
not enough reason for chess players to stay idle,” Campbell said.

Bunmi
Olape, another FIDE Master, said that that he had been fine-tuning his
techniques for a chess championship billed for Calabar in February.

He
told Tidesports that the event would help to keep him mentally alert to
the intricate moves in the highly intellectual game.

“I
try to play chess at all times, knowing that the federation has no programme
lined up for now, but I don’t need to have a competition in view, to train.

“I
try as much as possible, to improve my game, as I play the game frequently,’’
Olape said.

Nsiong
Bassey, a medical doctor and Vice President of CPAN, urged chess players to
always keep themselves busy, saying that chess was useful in making critical
decisions.

Bassey
recalled that she developed herself through the chess monthly heights
tournament and other chess-related activities.

“I
try as much as possible to participate in the monthly chess games which have
helped me to develop my game and keep me fit.

“I
advise all chess players to follow a similar regimen,’’ Bassey added.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Sports

Iwobi Optimistic On S’Eagles Qualification 

Published

3 days ago

on

November 3, 2025

By

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi says the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring that Nigeria have the players and abilities to compete against any country in the world.

Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.

The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.

We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”

The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.

“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.

“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”

Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.

Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.

It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.

Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.

Continue Reading

Sports

ATLANTICBELL CEO ADVICE SPORTS WRITERS ON SPECIALIZATION 

Published

3 days ago

on

November 3, 2025

By

The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.

He stated that in spite the fact that sports journalists are doing greatly in the country but hardly find any sports journalist that specializes on a particular sport reporting and become an authority, as it obtainable in advance countries.
Mr. Ogolo , who was the former Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State Chapter, said this after he received the Veteran Sports Journalist Award, during the SWAN @60 Diamond jubilee award night, in Abuja on Friday.
According to him, sports journalists have done tremendously well in sports development through effective and efficient reportage.
“SWAN has done greatly to develop sports in Nigeria, so they should be given its rightful place.
“Members should continue to do what they are doing, Nigerians are sports loving people when you give them facts and accurate reporting they will be happy, besides, sports writers have a big role to play in advancement of sports in Nigeria”, Mr. Ogolo said.
The former General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The TIDE Newspapers, used the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the National Executive Council (NEC) of SWAN for the award.
He explained that the award is one of the most important and special awards he has received, hence it came from his primary constituency as a journalist.
” I am not just happy but overwhelmed. This award will spur me to contribute more in development of sports and I we equally support SWAN Rivers State Chapter in my little way” he stated.
By: Tonye Orabere

 

Continue Reading

Sports

DEPUTY PRESIDENT EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT SPORTS DEV, SWAN 

Published

3 days ago

on

November 3, 2025

By

The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.

He stated that the sports writing fraternity is where he cannot forget as a sports journalist that starts from the grassroots.
Mr. Nyong said this while presiding over South South SWAN zonal meeting of Chairmen and Secretaries, including some elders in the zone, on Friday, in Abuja.
He explained what led to his suspension and sue unity and peace amongst members, saying that what happened should be a thing of the past, as he was actually misled and deceived.
The Deputy National President reiterated his commitment to work with Cyril Dum Wite led administration in Rivers State Chapter of SWAN, saying that SWAN is one and there should be no division of any such.
He reels out ideas that can make SWAN viable and enviable in the zone.
“I want peace and unity amongst members of the association in the zone, we are one family, let us work as family. Thank God I am back fully, members of the zone will enjoy the association”, Mr. Nyong said.
Also speaking the Vice President of SWAN south south zone, Azuka Chiemeka, thanked members that attended the meeting and also advised members to work in peace, unity and love with others members to achieve positive result.
It will be recalled Bonny Nyong was suspended in Full council  meeting held  in Kano following what can be described as misconduct, but was forgiven and his suspension was lifted after he apologised to Full council members in a meeting, held in Abuja, during SWAN@60 celebrations.
By: Tonye Orabere
Continue Reading

Trending