12 years old Ekunke Wins October Edition of Bayelsa Chess Championship
12 years old Goodness Ekunke has emerged champion of the October edition Bayelsa State monthly Chess championship spornored by the Niger Delta University NDU and the Bayelsa State Sports Council.
Ekunke finished with an outstanding 6.5/7 after a 5th round draw with another youngster Alagoa Ayebaenemebarakere who finished 3rd with 5.5/7 while Deborah Quickpen came second with 6/7 Alagoa Ayebaenemebarakere 3rd with 5.5/7.
It was a battle for the Ebiakpo’s in the best female category as Treasure Ebiakpo came out top to win the ultimate prize with 4.5/7, Bayefa Miebi finished second followed by Cherish Ebiakpo 2.5/7.
Bayefa Oyeinkeperemo in the under 10 category beat Nigeria’s under 10 champion Abner Quickpen while Isukul Poyomami came third in the contest.
Yousuo Ayebatari in the Niger Delta University student category took his opponent Isukul Poyomami to the cleaners to emerge overall winner in the best student event.
Presenting the trophy to the champion, Director of Sports Sir Braveman Wodi, appreciated the patron of the Bayelsa State Chess Association Engr Emmanuel Frank-Opigo for re-instituting the monthly chess program.
Sir Wodi, said the performance of the kids in the just concluded National Youth Games in Asaba Delta State and National Chess Championship in Lagos has shown that Bayelsa is a State to reckon with, urging the kids not rest on their oars.
Patron of the Bayelsa State Chess Association Engr Emmanuel Frank-Opigo, remarked that he is pleased to see the monthly chess program returned after a while, pointing out that the monthly event has come to stay.
Frank-Opigo explained that the Niger Delta University would support the monthly chess program for a year with the sum of one hundred thousand naira (100,000.00), assuring the association of continuous support.
