Nigerian chess community hail scholarships offer to Nigerians
The chess playing community in Nigeria has commended the university scholarships offered to young Nigerian chess players by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the President of World Chess Federation (FIDE).
The Russian had pledged to sponsor five Nigerians every year to study chess and any other course in Russian universities from September, 2014.
IIyumzhinov who was on an official visit to Nigeria, made the offer on Sunday in Abuja.
Ilyumzhinov also promised to donate chess equipment, textbooks and sponsor seminars for Nigerian trainers, as part of efforts to boost the development of the sport in the country.
Commissioner of Police, Sani Mohammed and a former President of Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), said police schools across the federation would leverage on the opportunity.
“Nigeria police has 67 primary and secondary schools and chess has started in the schools already, and whatever support we get we will like to replicate,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel Omuku, a former FIDE Vice President also welcomed the commitment of the FIDE president, saying it will go a long way to boost the sport.
Also speaking, Mr Odion Aikhoje, the 1998 Nigerian gold medalist at the World Chess Olympiad in Elista, Russia, expressed delight on the commitment of FIDE president to support chess players in the country.