Team Nigeria have touched down in Harare, Zimbabwe, ahead of the 2024 African Youth Chess Championship (AYCC), signalling their readiness to battle some of the continent’s brightest rising stars.
READ ALSO: Olaoluwa Obashola Sets Championship Pace With Blistering 47.91s Run in Benin
The eight-day tournament, running from December 6 to 14, will feature top prospects from Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Ghana and several other African nations.
Nigeria will compete across the U10 to U18 categories, with a six-player contingent featuring promising youngsters Deborah Quickpen, Chiamaka Nwankwo, Zita Agusionu, Jason Nwankwo, Olakitan Elegbede and Adeola Elegbede.
The team departed Lagos over the weekend and are expected to challenge strongly for medals in multiple age groups.
Attention naturally shifts to Bayelsa-born prodigy Deborah Quickpen, one of the country’s most decorated youth players, who expressed confidence before the team’s departure. “I’m excited and looking forward to the championship. My aim is to come tops,” she said.
With Nigeria seeking to consolidate its growing reputation in youth chess development, the championship provides a key test for the federation’s investment in young talent.
The players will now begin their final preparations as they join hundreds of competitors hoping to clinch continental honours in Harare.
Nigeria wishes its young stars the very best as they fly the green-white-green on the international stage.
,){kind=link}