Sports
AS the much awaited 7th edition of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) “Chess For Change” Initiative starts in Lagos, the Director-General of Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Oluwatoyin Gafaar, says sports can provide a better future for the youths.
Gafaar made the assertion at the opening ceremony of the 7th PWC “Chess For Change” Initiative going on at the Mobolaji Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 18 schools from four Education Districts in Lagos state were currently participating in the competition.
PWC “Chess For Change” Initiative is an annual grand slam designed to use the game to improve strategic thinking and critical reasoning among secondary school students in the state
Gafaar noted that the game of chess especially could improve of the mental state of the students thereby contributing positively towards their academic performances.
“This is a game for everyone who wants to improve on their academic performances. It is not about sports alone but improvements on Intelligence Quotient (IQ), participation competition among others.
“This game provides a better chance for the students especially that sports can provide better future for our younger ones because they are the leaders of tomorrow.
“I thank PWC for this initiative for always been there for us over the years for contributing their own qouta to sports development in the state and by extension, Nigeria.
“We also want them to do more in terms of expansion and prize winning,” he said.
The Director, Co-curricular, Science and Tech, Education District IV, Lagos state, Adenike Ajayi, noted that the state government’s increment in sports funding meant the state was ready to encourage more of sports in schools.
“Competitions like this are nice. In this present dispensation, we don’t take sports as recreational activities, but a profession.
“We are promoting sports more because it can provide a better future for our young ones.
“We all love sports and personally, I love sports and I will continue to encourage more participation among the youths.
“It should not be all academic, but our young ones need time to also showcase their talents in sports and other extra-curricular activities,” she said.
The Country Head, Marketing and Communication, PWC Nigeria, Sylva Ifedigbo, noted that the company was keen on supporting the chess tournament due to its many merits.
“Chess is not just a game, but an activity that can improve mental strength, critical thinking and leadership skills.
“We have been supporting this tournament for the past seven years and we are not ready to drop the baton or it’s quality, but we want to improve it.
“We have seen many benefits and a lot of improvement in the lives of students since we started,” he said.
NAN reports that 18 public secondary schools comprising no fewer than 250 students were drawn from across four educational districts in state for the annual chess fiesta.
The participating schools are: Birrel Avenue Senior High School; Eva Adelaja Girls Senior Secondary School, Bariga; Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maryland and CMS Girls Senior School, Bariga.
Others include Ireti Senior Grammar School, Ikoyi; Eko Akete Grammar School, Lagos Island; Wahab Folawiyo Senior High, Osborne; Falomo Senior High School, Ikoyi.
Also, Kuramo Senior Secondary School, Victoria Island; Government Senior, Victoria Island; New Era Senior Secondary School, Surulere, Government Senior College, Eric Moore; Jubilee Model Senior Grammar School, Iganmu.
Sari Iganmu Senior Secondary School, Orile; Euba Junior Secondary School, Mushin; Unity Junior High School, Oshodi and Eko Boys High School, Mushin, are all participating in the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) “Chess For Change” Initiative. (NAN)
A.I
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