The Nigerian Chess Federation (NCF) will participate in the maiden World Mind Sports Games in Beijing in October, local media reported Thursday.

NCF President Sanni Muhammed said in Lagos on Wednesday that the country had been invited for the Games based on its performances at previous Chess Olympiads.

Nigerian teams will join more than 100 countries and regions to contest for the 35 gold medals at stake in the competition.

"This opportunity to participate in the maiden edition of the Games came as a result of our outstanding performances at previous chess Olympiads," Muhammed said.

He disclosed that the organizing body would only cater for the tickets of 10 players and two officials for participating teams.

Muhammed said two male players were expected from Britain and the U.S. to join three other home-based players for the competition.

The female players are Rosemary Amadasun, Funmi Oyegunle, Tolu Jeje and Sayo Togun.

The athletes will compete in five events -- chess, bridge, draughts (checkers), Go and Xiang Qi (Chinese chess).

The organizers, International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), had said that all doping control measures as adopted by the IOC at Olympic Games would apply at the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2008)