Braimoh wins Lagos U-17 Monopoly Championship

• Event Creates New 1,217 Guinness Book Record Of Participants

Elizabeth Braimoh of Top Field College, Apapa on Friday emerged the overall winner of the Lagos State Under-17 Championship, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The occasion, an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Record of the total number of students playing monopoly in a day championship, held by Singapore with 605 players, took place with 1,217 students from the state secondary schools, thus setting a new record.

For her effort, Braimoh won a grand prize of an education grant of N600,000. Thirteen-year-old Ojo Alhameed of Boys Junior Academy, Lagos Academy, won an education grant of N500,000.

Other winners include, second runners up, Robert Stanley from Ajeromi Ifelodun Secondary School, N300,000 and third runners up, Nwakeze Precious of Top Field College, Apapa, N200,000. Every teacher of the participating schools also got gifts from the organisers.

Students, who won their various group during the tournament were each given N5,000 education grant. All grants came courtesy First Bank Plc.

Speaking at the event organised by Bestman Games, in partnership with Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), the Special Adviser on Sports to the Governor of Lagos State and Chairman of LSSC, Deji Tinubu, stated that the state was proud to be part of the record-breaking event.

“Lagos State is delighted to be part of this epoch event. The Lagos City Monopoly Championship for U-17 Secondary School Students is organised to encourage and nurture future stars in the sport. After recognising monopoly as one of the official sports in Lagos State, our plan is to see that more children and adults play the game. These sports give room for critical and reasonable making decisions. The students are happy to participate in the championship, because it has given them the opportunity to test their skills among their peers, which is a good step for them,” he said.

Organiser of the event, Chief Executive Officer of Bestman Games, Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe, revealed to The Guardian her delight over the success and turnout for the event.

“I am delighted to give students the opportunity to grow in monopoly. Getting a large number of students play monopoly in a single venue has given me the confidence that the sport is really growing in Lagos State.

“After out-numbering the number of participants at a monopoly championship in Singapore, we still stick to stating that the tournament is a world record breaking attempt, because we have to wait for the officials of the Guinness Book of Record to make their official announcement this week. There are guidelines and rules the body have to check before pronouncing the event, as a record breaking championship,” she said.

Dignitaries at the event were the former minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, Cross River State former first lady, Onari Duke among others.