Nigeria Army to partner with chess federation to develop the sports

Brig-Gen Allen Kigbu, Coordinator of the Chess event at the ongoing Nigerian Army Sports Festival, has solicited partnership with the Nigerian Chess Federation (NCF) to promote the sports in Nigeria.

Kigbu made the call at the end of the chess competition at the officers’ mess of the Army Headquarters Garrison im Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the aim of the partnership was to ensure that the event would be incorporated in the NCF calendar which would pave way for its rating.

“This competition cuts across all ranks of the millitary from the lowest to the highest. This will enable us to have officers and soldiers rated, ” he said.

He said thee verification process was at an advanced stage and thanked the board of the NCF led by Lekan Adeyemi for their support so far.

Kigbu said that two internationally graded arbiters who were sent by the federation were on ground to supervise the event.

“The international body sent us two arbiters who are international arbiters to monitor and adjudge the situation to make sure that they play according to rules and regulations of the sport.”

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. E.E Igoche from the Army Headquarter Garrison won the gold medal in the Blitz (individual) event with four points while Cpl. Egwu Okezie had to settle for the bronze medal.

In the classical (individual) event, Lt. Col. E.E Igoche from the AHQ showed his prowess to coast home to victory with 15 points.

Lance Cpl. Ogunseyini Adelaja also from AHQ won the silver with 14 points ahead of Lt. Col. A.A Akinrinmade from 1 Division with 13 points.

In the classical (team) Division, Army Headquarter Garrison were crowned the winner with 39 points, 1 Division won silver with 38 points and 2 Division had to settle for the bronze medal.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Medal presentation for the track and field events would hold on Thursday.

NAN