By: Témitayo OJEDIRAN (Herald)
The female chess team of the University of Ibadan won two gold medals on the final day of the Nigeria University Games. Ojo Blessing bagged one of the gold medals from board six of the female classical event. At the same time, Olusanwo Funmilayo Adeola followed suit after she secured the gold medal on board 3 of the female classical event.
Blessing, while speaking to our correspondent, expressed her gratitude to her teammates, whom she claimed were the major reason she won the gold medal.
“I feel happy and grateful to my teammates; I feel like they were the main reason why I won this gold medal, especially Tomisin and Tobi,” she exclaimed. She also advised anyone who wants to learn or play chess to practice more often.
The other gold medallist, Adeola, also shared her excitement after her feat. “I feel excited and very, very happy to have won this medal. We needed the win, I wanted to win, it was kind of difficult; it was prayer, and I think the dedication of the team and team spirit that actually helped us to achieve this,” she said.
Meanwhile, Abraham also bagged a bronze medal from the male event, while Maduka Millicent, the team captain of the female chess team, also bagged a bronze.
In the Chess competition, team UI bagged two gold medals (individual), two bronze medals (individual), and one bronze (female team).
Ariyo Oluwaseun, the Chess Coach of the University of Ibadan, commended the players. He said the goal of the team was to bag at least four gold medals for the University of Ibadan, but they could only get 2.
He further sought the help of the sports council to make available a place where the game of chess would be played on the University campus.
“The competition was a keenly contested event, and if our players had ample time to prepare, possibly we could have done better. But I think it is an improvement on the University’s performance compared to the last event held at Obafemi Awolowo University in 2014.
“We thank the sports council for their efforts, but there are equally somethings we want the sports council to put in place such as a permanent place to be used for us, laptops e.t.c.”
Oluwaseun then gave kudos to some dignitaries who supported morally, physically and financially; the Vice-President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Mr Odion, Mr Iredele, Mr Femi Adebayo, Oyo state chess Association, Mr Emeka Madueke and Mr Bode Olabode.
Team won 20 medals at the NUGA 2022 competition.
