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By Bolaji Okunola
Organizers of the annual PwC Chess4Change championship have unveiled big plans for this year’s edition slated to take place from July July 10 to September 4 in Lagos.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Lagos on Thursday, the Country Operational Partner, PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC), Pedro Omonluemhem assured that they are ready to enlarge the tourney beyond Lagos. However, he noted that the outfit will stand on the existing protocol by inviting mainly public secondary schools across eligible district.
“We aim at promoting this beyond Lagos and I’m sure such will come to pass very soon. Like I said last year, we deliberately go to public schools because we want to touch and change a lot of people’s lives,” Omonluemhem stated.
He continued:”There are prizes for individuals brilliance and also for the winning schools.
“We shall see how we can extend this even beyond other underdeveloped areas in Nigeria.
“As for the students, this is a two in one benefits for all. It will certainly boost their thinking faculty and will expose them to greater challenge in life.
“On this note, I urge you all to take this seriously so that you can have an edge above others in the slum.”
In his speech, the Vice President, Nigeria Chess Federation (NSF), Adeyinka Adewole charged all participants to see the championship as an avenue to greater heights.
Said he:”MediaVision has the idea while PwC made it come to pass. You will agree with me that chess is more than an ordinary game.
“As a chess master and a chartered accountant, I can tell you chess can make you in decision making. I was deprived of gaining an entry into the United States but chess made it possible in 2014.
“Globally, everyone sees chess players as intellectuals. We have also discovered an International Master, Isaac Okeke.”
Although we aspire to achieve a Grands Master and I’m sure the competition will provide it. We have a whole lot of opportunity.”
The championship, according to organizers (MediaVision Ltd) will be staged among eighteen schools drawn from four educational districts in the state.
