The 2026 edition of the Southeast Chess Classics climaxed at weekend in Umuahia, amid joy and excitement as winners emerged from the various categories.

The event which is coordinated by the office of the National Sports  Commission, NSC, Zonal Coordinator witnessed some  of the country’s brightest talents from Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States, jostle for honours.

For the Under-16 category, Okwuosa Emmanuel.showed class and composure to secure the top prize, Bayefa Onyeikeperemo got silver and Nwachukwu John settled for bronze, while the most indigenous player award went to Theophilus Amarachukwu Geocaf.

However, medals, trophies and cash rewards ranging from twenty thousand to six hundred thousand naira were presented to the various categories of the players within the first to the six position.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion include, Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr Alex chioma Otti, Commissioner for sports  in the state  Honorable Ananaba Obilor as well as Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, among others.

Reflecting on the overall performance of the competition, NSC zonal coordinator, Benard Ezema, in a phone conversation yesterday ,expressed delight over the organization and participation, while reaffirming that such program will avail the coaches the opportunity to assess their players mental and reasoning ability.

He further solicit for the promotion and sponsorship of school and grassroot programs, saying that the zone has what it takes to produce the generation of players that can take the world by storm.

The Nigeria Chess Federation is an affiliate of Internation Chess Federation, is the umbrella body that governs and regulate chess programs and activities in the country