Sports

N.9m For Grab As Club Moves To Resuscitate Chess Game In Edo

Published

2 years ago

August 28, 2023

The Chess Culture Club has splashed N900,000 on the 22 winners of the different categories of events at the second Benin City Quarterly Chess Tournament.

At the final of the tournament held at the Gymnasium Hall of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Complex, the star prize of N120,000 went to Ernest Afam, for emerging the overall winner of the competition.

A FIDE Master in chess, David Erhabor emerged the winner of the veteran category and earned N40,000; the money he donated to a four year-old Ivanka Jesse-Onoyeyan, the youngest player in the tournament, while others prizes ranged from N10,000 to 75,000.

Besides the star and veteran prizes, others were first, second and third in Under-10 boys and girls categories; Under-14 boys and girls; as well as women’s categories.

In his remark, Mr Ehidiamhen Akhiwu, the proprietor of the club said the tournament was aimed at growing the game of chess in the state and Nigeria.

“We all know the benefits of chess to the development of the totality of a human being; that is why we are trying to grow chess all over the world.

“Chess will benefit our children and that is why we want to catch them young. We want to address the younger generation of chess players.

“Of course, chess is good for everyone whether young or old, but when you catch them young, it becomes a nursery for us to nurse better citizens because chess teaches simple logic, which is necessary which is what is deficient in our society today.

“We believe that when we teach our children chess; apart from the fact that it embellishes their IQ, it also teaches them how to be civil and better citizens of our country.

“So everything they do will be guided by logical reasoning. That is why we think Chess is very good and in the developed world today, they put a priority tag on chess and teach it in school,” said Akhiwu.

Also speaking, Mr Stanley Ailuelohia, a partner and one of the players said he was excited young players were beginning to show interest in the game.

“If the minds of the young minds are developed, Ailuelohia said”, a generation of strategic thinking would be grown.

He expressed confidence that the future editions would be bigger and better and serve as an opportunity for sponsors to project their brands.

Speaking in the same vein, veteran David Erhabor described chess as gymnasium of the mind, calling on corporate bodies to always sponsor chess competitions for the younger generation to exercise their intellect.

Sports

EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

Published

10 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.

The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.

But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.

But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.

So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.

“That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.

“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”

Sports

EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

Published

10 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.

Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.

Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.

Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.

“It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.

“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”

Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.

“But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”

Sports

Davido Reacts As Gov Adeleke Dumps PDP

Published

16 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted to the shock resignation of his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The singer kept it short but loaded, posting “Jeje… ” widely interpreted as a subtle message of calmness, quiet movement, or strategic withdrawal as the political storm around the governor intensifies.

Governor Adeleke’s resignation, though only discovered on Monday night was actually tendered on 4 November 2025, ahead of the party’s national convention in Ibadan. His aide, Olawale Rasheed, leaked the letter online, confirming the governor had walked away from the troubled party weeks ago.

READ ALSO:Gov Adeleke Resigns From PDP

In the letter addressed to his Ward 2 chairman in Ede North, Adeleke cited the unresolved crisis at the PDP national level as the reason for quitting. He appreciated the party for backing his rise as senator and later governor.

The revelation has thrown today’s scheduled Osun 2026 governorship primary into confusion. While the state chapter announced a postponement due to factional firestorms, the National Working Committee insists the primary must hold — even though Adeleke remains the only aspirant who bought the form.

There is growing speculation that the governor is now eyeing a second term under the Accord Party, which several of his aides are rumoured to have already infiltrated and taken over in Osun.
His earlier attempt to defect to the APC reportedly hit a brick wall, with party leaders rejecting his move.