Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has appointed Tunde Onakoya, the individual who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon in history, as the sports ambassador of the state.
Governor Abiodun, who made this announcement on Thursday during a meeting with Onakoya in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, also revealed the start of the state chess competition, to be held in all parts of the state in honor of Onakoya.
Impressed with the accomplishment of the National Chess Master globally, Abiodun mentioned that this achievement was made possible through determination, resilience, and hard work.
The Governor remarked, “I can see why you continue to be an inspiration to many young people across the country. You have gone further by establishing a foundation called the ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ because you are resolved to share your story, motivate other children, and lift them out of the slums to give them hope and a future.
“Today (Thursday), we will officially appoint you as our State Sports Ambassador. Coincidentally, Ogun State will be hosting the National Sports Festival this year, and we are confident that we are prepared to host the best National Sports Festival in the history of this country. Coincidentally, chess is one of the games that will be featured in that event.
“Because of you and in your honor, we will initiate an Ogun State Chess Competition across the state. Since you are now officially our Sports Ambassador and our Chess Ambassador, we will leave it to you to organize that competition from the local government to the state level.
“As your state, we will sponsor the Tunde Onakoya Prize for the winner of that competition.”
Earlier, Onakoya expressed immense gratitude to the Governor for the support he received from Nigerians as he made his way to stardom, and mentioned that he felt proud to be a Nigerian.
“I am proud to be a Nigerian and from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. I felt deeply honored and happy with the way Nigerians all over the world supported me greatly to achieve this feat, as well as the honor given to me by our royal fathers and His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, my state Governor,” Onakoya said.
