determination, Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has carved his name into the annals of history, setting a new global record for the longest uninterrupted chess marathon.
Onakoya’s extraordinary journey commenced on Wednesday, April 17, amidst the bustling ambiance of New York City’s iconic Times Square, where he embarked on a relentless quest to play chess for an astounding 60 consecutive hours.
The impetus behind Onakoya’s Herculean endeavor transcended mere personal ambition; his noble objective was to raise $1 million to support underprivileged children residing in the slums of Africa.
Despite facing the inevitable toll on his physical well-being, Onakoya’s resolve remained unshakable, surpassing his initial target of 58 hours and persevering for an additional two hour
The Guinness World Records (GWR) organization, renowned for its recognition of extraordinary human achievements, provided the platform for Onakoya to push the boundaries of possibility. With over 65,940 active record titles in its illustrious history, GWR empowers individuals and groups to challenge and surpass the limits of human potential..
Onakoya, a distinguished coach and the visionary founder of Chess in Slums Africa, established his non-profit initiative in 2018 with a profound belief in the transformative power of chess as an educational tool.
Through his organization, Onakoya endeavors to uplift disadvantaged youth, providing them with access to tuition-free education, learning resources, and invaluable mentorship opportunities.
By leveraging the strategic intricacies of chess, Chess in Slums Africa aims to cultivate a new generation of intellectuals, transcending the barriers of circumstance and fostering inclusive growth across the African continent.
As news of Onakoya’s remarkable achievement reverberates across the globe, an outpouring of admiration and support floods in from all quarters. Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, lauded Onakoya’s triumph as a testament to the indomitable spirit of resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity inherent within Nigeria’s youth.
In a congratulatory message issued on Saturday, April 20, 2024, President Tinubu extolled Onakoya’s unwavering commitment to effecting positive change, emphasizing the profound impact of his endeavor on a global scale.
He said “Nigeria’s youths have demonstrated in all fields, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, the pulsating skit-making enterprise, education, science, and technology, that great exploits can truly come from small quarters.
“I commend the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for this epoch-making endeavour”.
Tinubu assured that his administration remains strongly committed to creating and expanding opportunities for Nigerian youths to explore and exercise their abilities and become the symbols of greatness that the nation represents in the future.
Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya set a new global record for the longest uninterrupted chess marathon, playing for 60 consecutive hours in Times Square, New York City. His goal was to raise $1 million to support underprivileged children in African slums through his non-profit, Chess in Slums Africa, founded in 2018. The initiative aims to provide tuition-free education, learning resources, and mentorship to disadvantaged youth by leveraging the educational power of chess. Onakoya's effort surpassed his initial goal of 58 hours, and he received widespread admiration, including praise from Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tinubu commended Onakoya's resilience and the impact of his achievement on a global scale, emphasizing the potential for greatness among Nigerian youth. The President assured continued support for expanding opportunities for the nation's youth.
