LOCAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT: HON. AJILESORO PLEDGES SUPPORT

By Kayode Olawuni

Hon. Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro with Raia Rooks Chess Club CEO (Right)  Hon Bisi Awope alongside his RRCC team members.

A member of the National Assembly representing Ife (North, South, East & Central) Federal constituency, Hon. Taofeek Abimbolah Ajilesoro has expressed his readiness to support local sporting activities geard towards discovering and grooming new talents that will make the country's flag to shine globally. Hon. Ajilesoro made this known at the grand finale of the 2020 Olojo Festival Rapid Chess Tournament hosted by RAIA ROOKS CHESS CLUB, held at Iyeru Ideal Hall and Suites, Parakin, Ile-Ife, Osun State on Friday 25th of September, 2020.

He lauded the organisers of the two days event which is one of the activities contributing to the tourism mood occasioned by the World famous Olojo Festival currently being held in the ancient city. He particularly commended Hon. Bisi Awope, Chairman, RAIA ROOKS CORNER LIMITED whose creative idea the chess competition was a product of.

"It is a plus for us here that through him, you all came from your various destinations to come and play this game here. So it is good for us".

Hon. Ajilesoro expressed hope that next year's edition will experience a better tournout with improved publicity and better planning, while thanking the participants for taking their time to visit the city for the tournament and also using the occasion to welcome them to the Olojo Festival which is ongoing in the city. 

"Thank you very much. We appreciate you for coming all the way from your your various destinations. We welcome you to the soil and as you can see we are doing our Olojo Festival this week. Possibly, after the tournament, you may feel free to have a tour of the city. It is very  beautiful city".

Presenting the trophy, cash  prizes and medals to the lucky winners, Hon. Ajilesoro admonished them to apply their prowess in chess to their practical lives as, according to him, chess is a game of the intellect. 

Also in attendance was the State Chess coach, Mr. John Abiona. He speaks out his impression at the tournament. " This tournament as been a wonderful tournament because of what I have seen here today. I never knew there are talents like these in Osun and in particular, Ife" 

"What I normally do is to move round where there are Chess activities and see if we can actually get new recruits and I must say that I have been able to pick one or two persons that will represent us in the next national sports Festival. I am so grateful the organizers of this tournament"

(L-R) Mr. John Abiona, Osun State Chess Coach; Hon. Bisi Awope, CEO, Raia Rooks Chess Club and a participant at the tournament.

The RAIA ROOKS C.E.O Hon. Bisi Awope expressed his gratitude to everyone for taking part in the tournament as well as the sponsors for their kind support, making the tournament a success, while wishing the participants a more rewarding gaming season comes 2021.