The Chess events at the Niger Delta Sports Festival 2025 showcased thrilling intellectual duels as the brightest minds from nine states of the region battled across board and clock. The tournament, which featured classic, rapid, and blitz formats for both men and women, was held under the auspices of the festival’s technical committee, with Mr. Augustine Apemiye serving as the Technical Lead – Chess.
🏅 Bayelsa Dominates Chess Events
Team Bayelsa emerged as the undisputed champions of the chess competition, winning a total of 10 medals (5 Gold, 4 Silver, and 1 Bronze) out of 12 available – an exceptional performance across all formats. Their strength was evident both in team efforts and individual brilliance, especially from standout players like Deborah Ebimobo-ere Quickpen, who clinched double gold in the Women Rapid and Women Blitz events, and Odeh Goodness Ekunkpe, who secured top honors in the Men Blitz and a silver in Men Rapid.
Other notable performers included Patrick Uraih of Delta State, who took gold in the Men Rapid, and Kingsley Osayande of Edo, who claimed bronze in the same category.
🧮 Chess Medal Table – Niger Delta Sports Festival 2025
| Event | Name/Team | State | Points | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men Team Medals | Team Bayelsa | Bayelsa | 30.5 | Gold |
| Team Edo | Edo | 27.5 | Silver | |
| Team Delta | Delta | 26.5 | Bronze | |
| Women Team Medals | Team Bayelsa | Bayelsa | 32.5 | Gold |
| Team Edo | Edo | 23.5 | Silver | |
| Team Delta | Delta | 22.5 | Bronze | |
| Men Rapid | Uraih, Patrick | Delta | — | Gold |
| Ekunkpe, Odeh Goodness | Bayelsa | — | Silver | |
| Osayande, Kingsley | Edo | — | Bronze | |
| Women Rapid | Quickpen, Deborah Ebimobo-ere | Bayelsa | — | Gold |
| Isede, Jessica Nkemdilim | Bayelsa | — | Silver | |
| Ebiakpo, Ebidise Sunshine | Bayelsa | — | Bronze | |
| Men Blitz | Ekunkpe, Odeh Goodness | Bayelsa | — | Gold |
| Alagoa, Ayeabeemimbarakere Domo | Bayelsa | — | Silver | |
| Aigbekeaken, Effort | Edo | — | Bronze | |
| Women Blitz | Quickpen, Deborah Ebimobo-ere | Bayelsa | — | Gold |
| Ebiakpo, Ebidise Sunshine | Bayelsa | — | Silver | |
| Igueh, Elora Oise | Rivers | — | Bronze |
🏆 Final Medal Summary (Chess)
| State | 🥇 Gold | 🥈 Silver | 🥉 Bronze | 🏅 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayelsa | 5 | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| Delta | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Edo | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Rivers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Others | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
♟️ Closing Remarks
The event wrapped up with high praise for the level of sportsmanship, strategic depth, and preparation by all players. The chess segment of the Niger Delta Sports Festival 2025 not only crowned champions but also fostered camaraderie, intellectual exchange, and the spirit of excellence among the region’s emerging talents.
Mr. Augustine Apemiye, Technical Lead for Chess, certified the results on April 5, 2025, underscoring the festival’s commitment to fairness, precision, and transparency.
