Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has appointed Tunde Onakoya, a professional player and founder of Chess-in-Slums Africa, as the Sports Ambassador of the State.
Onakoya had broken the world record for the longest chess marathon after playing for more than 58 hours in New York City’s Times Square to raise money for underprivileged children.
The 29-year-old professional player, embarked on his marathon session last week, hoping to raise $1 million for children’s education across Africa through the record attempt.
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Abiodun, received Onakoya in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, also announced the commencement of the State Chess Competition to be held in all parts of the state in honour of Mr. Onakoya.
Abiodun, who was impressed with the achievement of the Chess Master, said this could not have been possible without determination and resilience and hard work.
“I can see why you continue to be inspiration to many young people across the length and breath of this country. You have gone further by establishing a foundation called the ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ because you are determined to tell your story and encourage other children and get them out of the slums and give them hope and future.
“Today, we will be officially appointing you as our State Sports Ambassador. Coincidentally, Ogun State will be hosting the National Sports Festival in the next nine months or thereabouts and we are boasting that we are set to host the best National Sports Festival that has never been held in the history of this country and coincidentally, chess is one of the games that will feature in that event.
“I have decided that because of you and in your honour, we will begin an Ogun State Chess Competition across the length and breath of the state. Since you are now officially our Sports Ambassador and our Chess Ambassador, we will leave it to you to design that competition from the local government all the way to the state level.
“But we as your state, we will have a sponsor in the Tunde Onakoya Prize, for the winner of that competition,” the governor explained.
Onakoya had earlier told the governor of his immense gratitude for the support he received from Nigerians in his march to stardom, adding that he felt proud to be a Nigerian.
He also recalled his challenges while growing up, nothing that he saw chess as a way out of poverty and ability to think critically beyond the surface.
Onakoya acknowledged the unpopularity of chess in the country, attributing it to lack of understanding of the value of the game.
The chess master hails from Ago-Iwoye in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state.
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