Pa Onakoya, father of renowned Nigerian chess prodigy Tunde Onakoya, has opened up about his initial reluctance to support his son's passion for chess.

In a heartfelt interview with City Edge TV, Pa Onakoya shared how he used to interrupt Tunde's chess games during his childhood, hoping to redirect his focus towards academics.

However, as Tunde's achievements in chess soared, Pa Onakoya's perspective shifted. He described his son as a determined individual whose dedication inevitably leads to success.

Reflecting on his earlier stance, Pa Onakoya advised parents not to discourage their children from pursuing their passions. Despite his initial desire for Tunde to pursue a career in medicine, he now acknowledges the profound impact chess has had on his son's life and career.

Tunde Onakoya recently made headlines by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, clocking an impressive 60 hours of continuous play in Times Square, New York. This remarkable feat surpassed the previous record set by Norwegian players in 2018.

Pa Onakoya's journey from skepticism to admiration serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of supporting and nurturing the talents and passions of our children.