By Ikenna Nwokedi
Team Anambra have won four medals at the just concluded five-day South East Zonal Chess Championship held at the City Global Hotel Owerri in Imo State.
The South East Zonal championship was organized by South East Chess Association in collaboration with Nigeria Chess Federation (NSF) held from Wednesday, 19th July to Sunday, 23rd July 2023.
Team Anambra had four players in attendance in company of two officials of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) in the persons of the State Chess Coach, Charles Ntephe and the State Association Secretary, Bridget Onyekwe.
David Chidera Nnabuike was declared the bronze medal winner on tie break in the U2000 category ahead of another Anambra player. Ralphael Chidera Orjiekwe who also featured in the U2000 category ensured he secured a podium finish with a bronze medal with Stanley Nnabuife Okekeuche finishing in a distant ninth while also featuring in the U2000 category.
On a very positive note, Charles Ntephe lived up to expectations as he finished first to take gold in the veterans category organized for players aged between 50 to 65 years.
Reacting to the result, Chief Patrick Estate Onyedum, Chairman ASSDC, commended the team for a good outing at the championship.
Chief Onyedum averred that the board game of Chess is one of the areas of strength Anambra are known for at any Inter State and National Sports programme, the Sports boss stated that the commission under his watch is poised to give more support to the growth of Chess and other board games in the state.
“Congratulations to Coach Ntephe and his team for having a good outing at the just concluded Chess Championship in Owerri. You know that the board game of Chess and sister game such as scrabble is our area of strength when you come to any Inter State and National Sports programs.
“We will continue to support and energize the board games under my watch as the Chairman of the Commission as this is a game that is not capital intensive and as well ensures that we attain podium finish at almost all the national sport program that we have attended,” he said.
