Ex-Governor AbdulRazaq's Aide Wins ABN Rapid Chess Tournament

 Ex-Governor AbdulRazaq's Aide Wins ABN Rapid Chess Tournament



Mallam Mubarak Bello, former Special Assistant on Students Affairs to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has emerged as the champion of the inaugural Ahmed Bolaji Nagode (ABN) Rapid Chess Tournament. With an impressive score of seven out of eight, Bello outclassed 39 other professional and amateur players in the event held to promote chess and prepare players for the National Sports Festival scheduled for January in Ogun State.


The tournament, sponsored by Alhaji Bolaji Nagode and organized by the Nigeria Chess Federation in collaboration with the Kwara State Chess Association, aims to boost the game of chess in Kwara State and nurture talent for national and international competitions.


Speaking after his victory, Mallam Bello expressed gratitude to the tournament sponsor, Alhaji Nagode, for investing in sports development. He described his win as a memorable moment and expressed his readiness to represent Kwara State at the National Sports Festival if called upon. Having previously represented the state and country in handball, Bello noted, "It will be a thing of joy to represent my state again."


In his remarks, Alhaji Bolaji Nagode, represented by Ayodeji Ismail, Chairman of the Kwara Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), emphasized his passion for chess, describing it as the most intellectually stimulating game in human history. He highlighted the game's rich tradition of aesthetics, strategy, and global recognition.


Nagode praised the efforts of the Kwara State Chess Association, particularly Professor Bewaji, Dr. Bode Dutoye, and Hajia Hikmot Omotayo, for their dedication to promoting chess and fostering a culture of creativity and skill development. He also underscored the importance of leveraging Nigeria's population, similar to India and China, to build a skilled workforce and drive economic growth.


The former president of the 3rd Estate Ilorin Emirate reiterated his commitment to sustaining the tournament’s legacy and ensuring it achieves its objectives of talent discovery and sports promotion. Plans are in place to institutionalize the event as a key feature of chess development in Kwara State.

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