BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
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Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Lloyd Ekweremadu has assured that his Ministry will partner with the newly inaugurated State Chess Association Board. to nurture, groom and develop young chess players in the state.
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Ekweremadu, who, made the assurance while inaugurating Enugu State Chess Association Board on Monday in his office, expressed happiness about the quality of members of the association.
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He noted that he was confident the members would help develop the game in the state.
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According to him, Chess game needed intelligence, strategy, planning and tactics, and good for young people even as he enjoined the Association to aim at catching them young.
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“”It is my pleasure to have you at this historic event. I am not aware of any Chess Board before now. I am deeply honoured at this time, this is happening, I commend you for the initiative”
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“Just listening to the resume, of the members, Enugu State Chess will be in the right path, Chess will grow. I am gladdened that you have started work, demonstrating your committtment, clear understanding of what needs to be done.
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“The aim is to catch them young, have young people in schools participate in Chess, playing Chess goes beyond playing., it needs intelligence , strategy and tactics and good for young people.
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“Enugu State Government intends to finish at the top in the forthcoming 2026 CoalCity Games, we will partner with you, we realise that Chess event has a lot of medals. Having heard what you are doing, we will partner you to develop Chess in the state”, he noted.
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In his acceptance speech, the Association Board Chairman, Dr.Johnny Onwumere, onbehalf of the members, thanked the Commissioner for giving them the opportunity to help develop Chess in the state.
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He informed him that they had already started work with visit to Queens School, Enugu and College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu and other schools, where they m introduced the game.
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“The Association bought and delivered Chess equipment, taught and advised the students mon how to play the game to promote and popularise the game”, he stated.
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He noted that Chess Concave has the vision to popularise, promote Chess game, adding that they are planning to hold a competition.
“We are running to get as many participants actively and to have Chess clubs in schools and ultimately participate in the 2026 Coal City Games”, he said.
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In his remarks, the Executive Chairman , Enugu Sports Club, Barrister Ifeanyi Nweke, enjoined the Ministry to utilise the sports facilities in the Club which included swimming pool, tennis courts, badminton court, table tennis boards, and other facilities.
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Nweke told the Commissioner that some officials of National Sports Commission , Abuja had visited Enugu Sports Club and adjudged it as one of the best in Nijgeria..
Also speaking, former Enugu State Head of Service, Sir Clement Okwor said he appreciated the work Governor Peter Mbah and the Commissioner were doing to develop the state infrastructure and Sports.
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Okwor pointed out that the inauguration of the Board was a landmark achievement.
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In his goodwill message, the Director Coaching, Mr Ephraim Ochomma, who appreciated the members for making themselves available to develop sports in the state, urged them to produce players who can win gold medals for the state.
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Members of the newly inaugurated Enugu State Chess Association Board are: Dr. Johnny Onwumere, Chairman, Dr. J B C Emenike member, Sir Clement Okwor member, Engr. Martins Okwor member others are, Arc. China Nwadiogbu member, Surveyor Charles Ozokwor member, as well as, Bishop CNC Oyeledu, member, Barrister Buchi Enechi Onyia and Gil Eze, Coach.
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