Bamboo Towers set for chess tourney

As part of activities to mark the international chess day, Bamboo Towers Chess Club is set to organise a one-day tournament tagged ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ at the Conoil Complex, Amusement Park, Bodija, Ibadan.

Chairman of the Chess League, Ibadan who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bamboo Towers Chess Club, Mr Ayo Iredele, said the league is opened to everyone.

“The tournament is being held in commemoration of the international chess day which takes place on July 20th every year.

However, this year’s tournament coincides with the Sallah festivities, thus has to be shifted to Saturday, July 24.

“The event is also part of the Chess League’s efforts at creating awareness of chess in the state,” he said adding that the Chess League, Ibadan, in conjunction with Oyo State Chess Association and Oyo State Sports Council have done a lot in promoting the game of chess in the state.

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“A key objective is to encourage children to play chess as it has been proven to help with child’s development in the area of pattern recognition, critical thinking, logical reasoning, concentration and problem solving,” Iredele added.

He further stated that the tournament will have in attendance key sports individuals including the general manager, Oyo State Sports Council, Mr. Adegboyega Makinde, the immediate past president of Nigeria Chess Federation, Mr. Lekan Adeyemi, the secretary of Oyo State Chess Association, Mrs. Adekunle, Chess Olympiad Individual gold medalist, IM Odion, one of Nigeria’s foremost Chess player, FM Adegboyega Adebayo, Nigeria’s current female National Champion, Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Deborah Akintoye and Director, Bamboo Towers (Sponsor of the event), Chief Ayobanji Ayoola.