Awards Trophy to 13-Year-Old Ekunke for Emerging Overall Champion
Bayelsa State Chess Association’s monthly tournament has concluded in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The monthly tournament, sponsored by the Niger Delta University (NDU), was organized by the State Chess Association to prepare players for future competitions. Players from all over the state attended the event.
Omorere Benjamin emerged as the champion in the opens with 6.5/7 points. Igolukumo Felix secured second place with 5.5/7 points, and Ekunke Goodness finished third with 5/7 points, having dominated the games earlier.
In the special awards category, Ebiakpo Cherish was recognized as the best female with 3/7 points, Asingbi Douye claimed the award for the Best 45+ with 4.5/7 points, Alagoa Kere received the Best NDU award with 5/7 points, and Bayefa Oyeinkeperemo clinched the award for the best U:10 with 4/7 points in the monthly fiesta.
Head Coach of the Bayelsa State Chess Association, Mr. Bomo Kigigha, expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University and other sponsors for their unwavering support throughout the year, describing it as laudable. Mr. Kigigha noted that the association looked forward to having a fruitful monthly tournament in December, stating that the Chess family was working round the clock to attract more sponsors and increase participation from across the nation.
He added that the monthly championship was gradually yielding results following Bayelsa’s dominance in Chess in the National Youth Games and National Sports Festival.
The highlight of the November monthly tournament was the award of the trophy to the overall winner for the year, 13-year-old Goodness Ekunke, who has won the event a total of three times.
