NCF Invites Chess Players for Olympiad Trial

The Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), has invited 50 players for the first stage of the trial to select players that will represent the country at the 41st World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway in August this year.
The list, according  to the Technical Director of NCF, Bode Durotoye, is made up of 30 male and 20 female players based on performances of the rated tournaments till date.

The invited male players includes; Benjamin Omorere, Hakeem Edunwale, Kolade Onabogun, Onovughe Ochuko, Emmanuel Maduagwan, Oladapo Adu, Olamide Ajibowo, Igboloku,o Felix, Odion Aikhoje, Ademola Sorungbe, Dennis Ogbogho, Odum Martins, Rotimi Ajele, Oluwaseyitan Femi, Koko Obele, Efemuai Benedict, Joma Crim Chuks Okoh, Oyeyemi John Fawole, Bomo Kigigha, Olufemi Balogun, Eugene Ekpoikong, Bunmi Olape, Aniefiok Nekanem, Adeyinka Adesina, Tosin Akinwale, Biola Akinseye, Michael Ijisakin and George Erekosima.

In the female list are, Doris Adebayo, Ogechi Emmanuel, Nkem Omishogbon, Olabisi Rabiu, Mandy Enarevba, Omolabake Coker, Hafsat Bello-Osagie, Tobi Olatunji, Nsisong Asanga, Irene Ajibola, Modupe Fasola, Tiritfemuwa Ofowino, Blessing Davis, Millicent Aigbogho, Yemi Osundaikin, Beatrice Okwubor, Nneoma Aguta, Queen Princewill, Ada George Jica and Patience Sylvester all made the list of invited players for the trial.

The Technical Director explained that the selection process was based on performance rating of chess players within a calendar year of rated tournaments and all the six gold medalist at the last National Sports Festival held in Lagos.

The first stage of the trials he said will come up at the Media Centre National Stadium in Lagos from 23rd-25th of this month.

"We are using the Olympiad time control over eight round Swiss event pairing and Bucholz would be used to break the ties after which 10 players each from male and female will qualify for the final round of the trials which will come up in Ibadan next month," Durotoye remarked last week.

However, while many hailed the selection process because of clear departure from all comers affairs, some pundits were able to point some loop holes that made some notable players  non eligible to participate and therefore called increase in the invitation.

Notable omissions includes Adebayo Adegboyega, Nnonso Oragwu Ajibola Olanrewaju, Nnamdi Nwoye, Inimo Kigigha, Bisiriyu Seun, Campbell Charles and Sunny Eyenghe.

The NCF boss, Mr. Lekan Adeyemi, in his response said it is the wish of the board to accommodate all the interest group but no method of selection is full prove and urged all players to take the selection in good faith. "We have received letters from some stake holders calling for wild card for some notable players but with all humility, all the invited players have my wild card my proxy based on their respective performances at the rated tournaments," he remarked.

Nigeria alongside other 180 nations will compete for glory at the World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway from 1st-15th of August this year.