By Sani Yarima
Taraba State Government has been urged to integrate chess sport into the school curriculum to enhance cognitive skills among students.
Over fifty (50) participants registered for the maiden edition of the chess competition, which took place at the Passy Hotel inthestatecapital, including females.
Dankema Yusuf Umar, the convener of the recently concluded chess competition made the call while speaking to sports journalists in Jalingo.
He expressed optimism that such a move would not only enhance cognitive skills among students but also promote the growth of chess in Taraba State and highlighted the benefits of adopting the game as an educational tool.
Additionally, Umar enjoined the state government to take proactive steps in promoting the game as part of its educational reforms, arguing that it would serve as a means to boost critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills among students.
Dankema Yusuf Umar, however, expressed dismay at the limited recognition of the chess sport in the state and announced his plans to collaborate with the Taraba State government and corporate institutions to popularise and promote the game across the State.
According to him, his motivation to organize the tournament stemmed from the recent achievements recorded by Tunde Onakoya in the game.
Umar also explained that such success stories demonstrate the potential of chess to bring global recognition and inspire young talents within Taraba state, and promised to extend the tournament to the 16 LGAs of the state.
Participants who spoke with our correspondent applauded the organiser for taking the bull by the horns in his quest to contribute to youth development in the state.
Some friends of the convener who delivered goodwill messages at the event including Barr. Richard Simon and Mr Danladi Unana called on other well-to-do Tarabans to emulate Umar’s path and the take state to greater heights.
Also in an interview, a two-time Badminton champion, Jinkam Bulus Ifraimu who graced the occasion and donated , described the competition as the first of its kind and commended the organiser.
He praised Governor Agbu Kefas for prioritising sports and youth development in the state.
Ifraimu pledged to continue to contribute his quota to complement Governor Agbu Kefa’s efforts to empower the youth through sports across the state, aimed at taking them out of the streets.
The event was graced by dignitaries, including the Director of Taraba State Sports Council, George Shita and the CEO of Taraba News, Mr Gabriel Olayinka, who donated N200,000, as well as women and children.
The competition rounded off with the prevention of prizes to the winners.