Dankwambo excited over successful hosting

Nigeria, at the weekend, demonstrated why it is one of the highest-ranked chess-playing nations in the world when its players swept several medals at the FIDE World Amateur Rapid, Blitz Chess Championships held at the Bolton White Hotel, Abuja.

The championships produced a moment of national pride when 14-year-old Nigerian, Ekunke Goodness, won a gold medal in the event after an exceptional 11-round performance, finishing with nine points.

Two other Nigerians, Eugene Unwana and Bomo Kigigha, got the silver and bronze medals respectively.

The result highlights the depth of talent emerging from Nigeria’s chess development programmes and validates the federation’s continued investment in grassroots and school-based initiatives.

The championships also produced outstanding winners across the U1700, U2000 and U2300 rating categories.

The category champions were Omoruyi Osarugue, Efemuai Benedict and Asanga Nsisong.

Efemuai Odafe also won the U2300 Open title, while Indian players recorded victories in the U1700 Open and U2000 Open categories.

Speaking at the event, President of Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, described the successful hosting of the Championships, tagged Abuja 2026, as a landmark achievement for Nigerian sport and a significant milestone in the advancement of chess in Africa.

Held from August 1 to 8, the championships marked the first occasion on which Africa hosted this prestigious international competition.

The event brought together players, officials and chess enthusiasts from across the world for a week of high-level competition, professional conduct and international camaraderie. FIDE confirmed that the Championship brought amateur players from around the world to Abuja for the events.