Blazing Kings Chess Club last weekend emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Ibadan Chess League season 1 after recorded 40 (TB1) and 66.5 (TB2) decided at the Indoor Sports Hall, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
Bamboo Towers Chess Club, Ibadan claimed the second position while Raia Rooks Chess Club, Ile-Ife finished third place.
Speaking after the closing ceremony, FIDE vice president and former president, Nigeria Chess Federation, Mr Lekan Adeyemi, gave kudos to the organisers for taking such a fine step towards promotion of chess in Oyo State, as he advised that the name of the competition be changed to Oyo State Chess League.
He also urged the organisers that there are a lot to be improved on saying “it is not enough that we play chess, but play in the proper professional manner as regulated by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), you need to impose better discipline and follow all FIDE tournament rules and regulations, from next season, and by doing so, you will be giving the tournament a better standard.
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“It is a very good thing you have invited members of the press to this event today, because now everything will be well documented and it will be easier to show the work done to potential sponsors for future events.”
Also, General Manager Oyo State Sports Council, Mr Gboyega Makinde, said that the evidence of good works from the Oyo State’s chess promoters, players and enthusiasts helped their contingent to the last National Sports Festival, Edo 2020.
He applauded the efforts of the team of organisers that put together the chess league which has brought a good reputation to the state.
Incoming chairman, Oyo State Chess Association, Mr Iredele Ogunbayo, disclosed that this is just the beginning adding the players should hope for better seasons ahead.
“The Ibadan Chess League with three clubs named: Bamboo Towers Chess Club, Blazing Kings Games Club, and UI Chess Club to promote the game with the state but later expanded to become what people are witnessing today,” he said.