Team Nigeria depart for African Youth Chess Championship in Zimbabwe

Team Nigeria depart for African Youth Chess Championship in Zimbabwe

By Admin 

Team Nigeria athletes comprising of Deborah Quickpen, Chiamaka Nwankwo, Zita Agusionu, Jason Nwankwo, Olakitan Elegbede, Adeola Elegbede, Bayefa Oyeinkeperemo and Goodness Ekunke has departed the country on Saturday morning for Harare, Zimbabwe to represent Nigeria in the African Youth Chess Championship (AYCC).

The Chess Championship will run from December 6-14th with several African countries vying for honours, the countries are, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Ghana participating.

Others listed for the championship include, Madagascar, Kenya, South African and the host nation, Zimbabwe.

The athletes will vie for honours in different categories of the event.

The AYCC is for Under 10 -18 players.

Notably among them is Nigerian chess prodigy Bayelsa’s Deborah Quickpen ,a shining star is expected to prove her mettle in the Women’s board category. She won gold for Bayelsa at the last National Sports Festival.

The 13-years-old Nigerian champion, who is one of the players to watch in her age bracket at the event, shared her excitement on the cusp of the team’s departure, "I'm excited and looking forward to the championship in Harare. My aim is to come tops". 

 During the inaugural board meeting of the Nigeria Chess Federation, President Senator Dankwambo pledged to prioritize youth tournament participation.

In fulfilment to this promise, the Nigeria youth team will be representing the country at the African Youth Chess Championship (AYCC) in Harare.