Between tomorrow and Saturday, the game of draught will take centre stage in Tema when some popular names in the sport assemble at the TDC Club House for the maiden edition of the national draught competition for the Tema Metropolis.
The competition, being organised by Parkland Enterprise, with the blessings of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority, is expected to attract more than 100 players from the Harbour City and its environs.
Indeed, apart from the peerless Kikiway and Nii Ayi, all the crack players in Tema and surrounding areas are expected to show up for the first of what organisers say will be an annual affair.
With GH¢1,000, GH¢500 and GH¢300 at stake for the winner, first and second runners-up respectively, the juicy packages could turn the popular indoor game into a lucrative venture for its many players.
Park Kojo Okyere, chief executive of Parkland Enterprise, told Graphic Sports that the competition should change the perception about draught and raise the game to new heights among sports disciplines in the country.
“Draught is played in every corner of the country, but we think the interest should grow wider because it is a brain game where players show a lot of thinking in solving very complex questions,” he said.
“The target is to make the game a national past time where both the young and old will patronise it,” he added.
Tema has produced some of the best players in the game over the years, but Mr Okyere said the well-known stars of the game have been exempted from the maiden edition.
“Kikiway and Nii Ayi will be officiating rather than participating as players to give chance to new players,” he stressed.
The board game is played by two players on opposite ends, with 20 marbles each.
Registration forms can be completed at the event venue by 10a.m. on Thursday at GH¢10 each.
