Indoor Games Champions Commend IKODASS For Providing Developmental Platforms -

Kunle Adelabu

Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) (2nd right) and Alhaji Kola Akinsanya (left) with the winner of the Chess competition in the male category (middle), first runner – up (2nd runner – up) and the second runner – up (right).

The U -17 athletes, who emerged champions in some of the games at the just concluded IKODASS (Ikorodu – Oga Development Association) Indoor Games Youth Championship, have commended the socio – cultural and developmental body for the initiative.

They said that the championship provided them with the opportunity to develop in their chosen games and also helping in taking young people off the street.

The maiden edition of the championship, which hosted Snooker, Chess, Scrabble and Table Tennis competitions, started at the Ita – Elewa Youth/Sports Centre, Ikorodu, on Saturday, September 4,2021, and ended on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at the Ikorodu Town hall, Ikorodu.

Adeyemi David, a 17 – year old SSS 3 student of Yewa Grammar School, Aga, Ikorodu, who emerged champion in the Snooker game, said that he expected a tough competition but did not expect that would emerge champion.

He thanked IKODASS for providing the avenue for him to prove himself.

Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Comrade Kehinde Okeowo, Special Adviser to the IKJODASS Chairman, Prince Adekunle Bada, IKODASS Publicity Secretary and other executives of the association with young participants during the accreditation exercise for the IKODASS Indoor Games Youth Championship in Ikorodu on Saturday.

“I expected to meet tough opponents but I didn’t expect to win the tournament. I feel so happy and great winning the gold medal”, he said.

Speaking on what made him the Snooker winner at the Championship, he said:

“I played my game freely without any pressure”.

“I will continue to train for another competition after this championship.

“I want to say thank you to IKODASS and that they should continue in this direction because they can help many youths through the championship”, he said.

Afolabi Emmanuel, the 17 year-old boy who formerly resided in Ikorodu but currently stays in Bariga, Lagos, won the male category of the Chess game. While speaking with THE IMPACT, he said that he came to the championship to win.

The junior champion almost missed the tournament due to the traffic situation he encountered on his way to Ikorodu for the accreditation exercise. He actually arrived at the venue after the exercise has been concluded but was considered by the organizers. Today, he is a champion.

“I feel happy and elated for winning the Chess competition. It is expected because I worked hard with great commitment and with God on my side, I am the champion of the Chess game”, he said.

“I have been training for other tournaments. I did everything that I was supposed to do; equipped myself with tactics and read books and at the end, they came through for me”.

He said that he would be focusing on other tournaments, especially the Danypro Championship coming up in October after the IKODASS Championship.

“I have series of tournaments coming up after the IKODASS Championship. I have the Olojo festival in Ife and afterwards, the Danypro U – 20 tournaments coming up in October. There are a lot of tournaments to prepare for”, he said.

Soaga Oluwamayowa, 17 – year secondary school graduate who emerged Scrabble champion at the just concluded IKODASS Indoor Games Youth Championship.

“I say thank you to IKODASS and everyone that made this tournament a reality. It was really a nice one, even for players that are just coming into the game, because this kind of tournament will help them to develop.

“I thank them (IKODASS) for bringing Chess to Ikorodu. It is a very great initiative. Thank you”, Afolabi added.

The Scrabble champion in the male category, Soaga Oluwamayowa, 17 – year secondary school graduate, also speaking with our reporter, said that he felt great winning the tournament.

“I started playing Scrabble when I was 7 Scrabble year-old and it was the fun and the joy that I usually derived when playing it that encouraged me to get more involved in the game”, he said.

“I feel very happy winning this tournament because many of the people that know how to play the game participated in the IKODASS tournament”.

Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman IKODASS (3rd left), Mr Rufai Abolade Carmilm Chief Umpire for the Snooker game (2nd right) and Mr Animahun, IKODASS executive member (left) in group photograph with Master Adeyemi David, winner of the Snooker game in the ongoing IKODASS Indoor Games Youth Championship (3rd right), Master Agboje Charles, first runner – up (2nd left) and Master Tella Olabisi, second runner – up (right) after the competition held at the EROZ Place on Wednesday.

While thanking IKODASS for the opportunity provided for him and other participants through the tournament, the Scrabble champion said that his next target is the upcoming National Youth Sports Festival later in the year.

“After this tournament, there are some other tournaments coming up that I am going to participate in like the National Sports Festival and others”, he said.

“A big thank you to IKODASS because this platform that they provided has been a great thing for me because it gave me joy and provided a platform for upcoming players to develop”.