The father of Nigerian chess prodigy, Tunde Onakoya, has shared that he had reservations initially about his son pursuing chess as a passion.
He reminisced about how, during Tunde’s childhood, he would interrupt his chess sessions to emphasize the importance of education.
In a recent interview with City Edge TV at Lagos airport, along with his wife and other well-wishers, the proud father opened up about his initial stance and expressed his admiration for his son’s achievements.
Reflecting on Tunde, he remarked, “To me, Babatunde Onakoya is a remarkable individual, with unwavering determination leading to success in all endeavors.”
He recounted, “When Tunde was a young boy engrossed in chess, I would often clear his playing area, prioritizing his academic pursuits. Little did I know that this game would propel him to such fame.”
Offering advice to parents, he added, “I had envisioned Tunde becoming a doctor, not realizing the incredible path chess would chart for him. It’s a lesson to not discourage children from their passions. I am grateful to God for his journey.”
Tunde Onakoya recently made headlines by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, clocking an impressive 60 hours at New York’s Times Square.
This record-breaking feat surpassed the previous record held by Norwegian players in 2018, cementing Tunde’s name in the chess hall of fame.