Ogbomoso Recreation Club rekindles chess activity in Ogbomoso: Courtesy of The Gift of Chess
pannigeriannews
3 min read
By Minkail Olaitan
“Hope is not meager, no matter how small. When other senses are asleep, hope is first to wake and last to shut.” It was a delight to be involved in the open chess event, themed “Knight”, which took place at Ogbomoso Recreation Club Lounge. The event, a public call to all chess enthusiasts across Ogbomoso, aimed to participate in the game that has a transformational impact on lives, both young and old, educated and uneducated.
The “Knight” open chess game marked a significant historic milestone today as Ogbomoso Recreation Club rekindled the Chess spirit in Ogbomoso through the official dedication of The Gift of Chess chessboards. Now, Ogbomoso can join the league of cities across the world that have embraced the idea of offering hope through the simple chess game.
It was a heartwarming spectacle that had Ogbomoso Recreation Club Lounge as a confluence of amazing chess players. Among the teams that participated in the open chess game were Lautech Chess Club, led by Chukura Adanwankaego Ololade, who had won board gold, bronze, and 1 silver at the 2019 Nigerian Polytechnic games in Offa, and 1 gold at the intra-university games with several awards.
The growing SQI Chess Club, led by Mr. Adegboyega Olamide, members of the just-launched Ogbomoso Chess to Purpose, and several others who are self-trained, as well as those interested in learning chess, also participated.
This event would be incomplete without mentioning the memorable hospitality of the Ogbomoso Recreation Club expressed to all participants. It was a remarkable display of interest and desire to leverage chess as an instrument for progressive recreational and social development.
Special appreciation goes to distinguished Mr. Akin Oladeji John-Brown, the President of the Ogbomoso Recreational Club, the ever-present Professor Olajide Ajao, Mr. Akinola Olatunde Joseph (Tfat), Chief Armstrong Olanipekun, and other notable figures who ensured the smooth flow of the event.
In a bid to sensitize people of Ogbomoso about the significance of the chess game and leverage The Gift of Chess chessboards, the club has decided to integrate full-fledged chess activities and dedicate a certain part of the Recreation center as a Chess hub. Here, chess training, playing, and contests will be conducted.
Similarly, the club has suggested that it will organize chess tournaments and a game week, where chess will be one of the main activities. Certainly, Ogbomoso has embraced chess with open arms, like the rest of other places where chess thrive and cause incredible changes and impact.
One can only imagine the number of potentials that will be rediscovered, purposes that will be found, and talents and geniuses that will be reconnected back to their shines. Because before the last game of the events, several old players who had become rusty of the game were challenged, and not only were they determined to get back their game mastery back, but also send their children to learn the chess game, launching the Ogbomoso Chess to Purpose.
If you are interested in learning and playing chess in Ogbomoso, kindly join the WhatsApp group below:
