Grammy-nominated singer, Davido and Adekunle Gold have shown up at Times Square, New York to show their support for the master chess player and humanitarian, Tunde Onakoya who is currently playing chess to beat the existing world record.
The 29-year old Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate is attempting to play chess nonstop for 58 hours in New York City’s Times Square to break the global record for the longest chess marathon and raise $1m for the education of children across Africa.
Grammy-nominated singer, Davido at Times Square to support chess marathon player, Tunde Onakoya
Other Nigerians in diaspora who have turned up at the historical event include Ambassador Peter Lot Egopija, Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York City and political activist, Omoyele Sowore.
The venue had become a funfair of sorts with many Nigerians bringing food and singing to cheer the young chess player. Drummers had also made the atmosphere super-charged to keep the players mentally alert and excited.
In a post on X, Onanuga captured the feeling after 24 hours of playing chess in the freezing early spring season.
He tweeted: “It’s officially 1 full day of playing continuous chess in our attempt to break the @GWR for longest chess marathon. @CoachShawnMar and I have played 60 games and the fatique is naturally setting in. But one thing we will not do is stop.
“We will raise a million dollars and bring the gift of chess to children across the world. Your support is needed now, more than ever.”
