his file photo taken on September 07, 2011 shows Chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion and one of the leaders of Russian political opposition, Garry Kasparov, playing simultaneous chess games in Porto Alegre, during his visit to Brazil. Russian chess champion Garry Kasparov owned the game for 15 years, gaining superstar status among fans before retiring and throwing himself into politics — but he just can’t seem to stay away from the chessboard. The 54-year-old former world champion is coming out of retirement on August 14, 2017 to play in an official tournament in St. Louis, Missouri against nine top-notch players. / AFP PHOTO
The Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) will soon organise its first Board Championships nationwide, the federation’s President, Olabisi Joseph, said on Thursday in Lagos.
Joseph told NAN the championships would enable all students in the country to be involved in one sport or the other.
“Not all students will be interested in football and athletics. It has become necessary to explore other areas of sports,” she said.
The NSSF President added that most board games helped players improve on their mental alertness and helped them think critically and plan.
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Board games are sports that involve counters or pieces moved or placed on a pre-marked surface, such as monopoly, drought, scrabble and chess.
“We need to engage these students, and I understand that not everyone will be interested in football or track and field and basketball.
“So, we should be interested in what happens to those that are interested in other sports.
“Sports such as chess, scrabble, monopoly and draught will help a lot.
“Take for instance, scrabble. It helps you build your vocabulary and also think critically so that you can attract more points.
“The same thing goes for monopoly, which will educate you about finances, when to buy, when not to, and how to plan.
”So, when they apply all these skills, it makes them well grounded as adults.
“These and more are some of the reasons we decided that these championships will hold and help us develop talents.
“We need to focus on these sports too. Not every child will be an (Austin) Okocha or (Nwankwo) Kanu or a Mary Onyali,” Joseph said.
The NSSF President added that the Championships would hold sometime in March on dates yet to be announced.
Joseph also added that dance was going to be one of the focal points for the federation, saying dance was another form of exercise recommended by physicians.
“Dance is also one aspect that we will explore. We are serious about this, and we are in talks with some state government who will partner with us,” she said.
The NSSF President also reiterated their commitment to capacity-building like it did in 2020, saying training sports administrators across the country would continue quarterly.
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