South-East Chess Classic, tagged “The Battle of Titans,” has been officially declared open with participants urged to compete fairly, uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and use the championship as an opportunity to showcase their talents.
The charge was given by the Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, who reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Dr. Alex Otti to the development of sports and the empowerment of young people in the state. He stressed that investment in youth development was an investment in the future of society.
“When government invests in youth, it is investing directly into our society,” the Commissioner said.
In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Pastor Jane Maxwell Igwe, encouraged participants to go beyond the chessboard and experience the warmth, culture and beauty of Abia State. She urged the visiting players and officials to “feel and taste Abia State” and enjoy what the state has to offer beyond the sporting activities.
The Patron of the Abia State Chess Association, Chief Obioma Otti, also urged the players to compete fairly and demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout the championship. He further announced financial support for the competition, adding to the encouragement and backing for the event.
The Chairman of the Abia State Chess Association, Hon. Lukeman Ukara, expressed appreciation to Governor Alex Otti for his support and funding of sporting activities in the state. He noted that chess development in Abia had received unprecedented attention under the present administration.
“Chess in Abia State has never had it so good,” Ukara declared, while thanking the government for creating an enabling environment for the growth of the sport.
The South-East Zonal Representative for Chess, Donald Onyekwere, equally praised Governor Otti for what he described as his remarkable accomplishments in sports development, while the Director of Sports, Comrade George Obioma, said Abia State had taken the lead in sports development across the South-East, attributing the achievement largely to the support of the state government.
Obioma recalled Abia’s impressive performances at the last National Sports Festival and National Youth Games, stressing that the state was committed to identifying and developing sporting talents. He assured participants that the best-performing chess players at the competition would be selected, nurtured and prepared for participation in the forthcoming National Sports Festival.
The championship, which ends on Saturday, has attracted chess players from all five South-East states — Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo — providing a competitive platform for players to test their skills while promoting the development of chess in the region.
