The Ghana Draughts Association and its lead sponsor Accra Breweries PLC (ABL) were honored to receive His Majesty the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the 2024 Otumfuo National Draughts Championship held at the forecourts of the Manhyia palace.
It was an impressive scene as Players representing their respective regions across the country, took positions behind draughts boards to engage in the intricate game of skill and grit
The Otumffuo took a moment to observe a dazzling progression of fast brains and decisive fingers as competitors pushed their cards across their boards to undo opponents and score points in anticipation of lifting the ultimate trophy.
The ultimate winner; Michael Abu from the Ashanti Region took home Ghc10,000, a medal, a trophy, a certificate and 5 cases of Eagle Beer from the headline sponsors Accra Brewery PLC.
The first and second runner ups Yaw Obeng from the Bono Region and Evans Koranteng Ortega from the Greater Accra region, received cash prices of GHc5000 and GHc 3,000 respectively with medals and certificates as well as four and three cases of Eagle products respectively from Accra Brewery PLC.
The third runner up Akwasi Adjei made the Central Region proud receiving Ghc2000 a medal, a certificate and 2 cases of Eagle Products from Accra Brewery PLC.
In a gesture to show his support for the national tournament organized in his honor, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II donated an amount of two thousand cedis) GHc20,000 to the Ghana Draughts Association.
Ghana Draughts Association
Chairman of the Ghana Draughts Association George A. Nii Quaye, commended the Asantehene and the headline sponsors Accra Breweries PLC for supporting the association to elevate the sport from local communities to a regional and national level.
He indicated that until ABC came on board with its Eagle line of products, the National Draughts Tournament was left to the voluntary support of individuals.
“We have been on a triangular tour across the country and I can say we are gaining grounds but what we need now the most is sponsorship. ABL has been really helpful and with more, I am sure we can go international,” he assured.
George Nii Quaye called for the public to disabuse their minds of the notion that draughts was for the lazy and aimless in society.
He pointed out that though the game naturally attracts jokes and stories that could sometimes go off-color, it is an extremely sophisticated game that draws heavily on mental fortitude and smart thinking
This is like a log book or an abacus or BODMAS. If you are not good at mathematics, you will find it very difficult to understand it. One push of a marble is like taking eight steps at a goal,” he established.
George Nii Quaye disclosed that under the leadership of the GDA; plans are afoot to introduce draughts competitions in the Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools and Universities to build the next crop of intelligent draughts enthusiasts.
He contended that Ghana stands to make a lot of money on international draughts competition platforms insisting that the country has some of the best of brains capable of slugging it out with international champions making global waves in all three distinct types of draughts contests.
2024 Eagle Draughts Winner:
Winner for the competition Michael Abu affectionately called Abu Nationale commended Accra Breweries PLC for supporting the tournament.
He told GHONE News, apart from the brain sharpening potential; the game of draughts provided a bundle of benefits including relieving stress, pressure and tension.
Rebuffing the notion that the game was only fitted for disreputable and worthless people, he pointed to several prominent businessmen, public servants, corporate workers and accomplished entrepreneurs who continue to play and serve on the leadership of the Ghana Draughts Association.
ABL EAGLE Sponsorship
Since 2022, ACCRA BREWERY PLC (ABL), a subsidiary of ABInBev & leading manufacturer/distributor of beer and non-alcoholic malt beverages in Ghana, has been a key partner of the Ghana Draughts Association with its affordable brand Eagle Lager.
Eagle Lager and Eagle Extra Stout brewed with local ingredients sourced from local farmers, has cemented their leadership in the beer and stout market in Africa with an extra reward of affordability.
Its contribution to local farmers, improving their livelihoods with assured market and enhanced incomes has undoubtedly been rewarded by revelers making it the alcoholic beverage of choice for diverse occasions, hangouts, ceremonies and festivals of class.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ivan Heathcote – Fumador
