NAN-S-1
Draught
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Nov. 24, 2017(NAN) The Edo Government on Friday expressed its readiness to partner relevant stakeholders to register and promote the game of Draught as a notable sport both at national and international levels.
Draught is a game played by two people, each with 12 round pieces, on a board of 64 squares.
The Commissioner for Sports and Special Duties, Mr Mika Amonokhai, said this while declaring open, the maiden international Draughts tournament between Nigeria and Ghana, holding in Benin.
Amonokhai, who described the game of draught as “ a physically and mentally engaging sports,’’ can become a national sport on the Nigerian sports’ calendar.
“That is why as a government, we are ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to see to the registration and promotion of this sport to the highest level.
“I am also assuring the organisers of this tournament that the Edo State ministry of sports, under my watch, is ready to partner the organizers of this tournament, to make the best of the event.
“Only last week, the state hosted an intentional female soccer tournament, and today, I am also here to declare open, an international draught tournament.
“The state government will give its support through the process of registration of the sport into our national sports calendar.
“It is a possibility and once the initiative is activated, we will give it all the needed push. We can start with school sports and see its progression,’’ he said.
Earlier, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, chairman, organising committee, said organisers decided to use the tournament to erase the erroneous belief that the game of draught was “for lazy people and the jobless in society.
“Rather, this is one of the most intelligent, strategic and physically-engaging sports in the world,’’ he said.
“We also intend to use the platform to promote friendship between Nigerian champions and their Ghanaian counterparts,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the three-day tournament will feature two categories, namely the premier division for grandmasters and division one for champions, with a first prize money of N500,000.
While 43 players will feature in the premier category, 16 players will participate in the champions division. (NAN)
AJOM/KOO/PIO
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(Edited by Kelvin Okunzuwa/Idonije Obakhedo)