Ortega wins Tema draught championship

Evans Koranteng, popularly called Ortega, won the maiden edition of the national draught competition in the Tema region after beating Prince Ohemeng in the final last Saturday.

Ortega won the final 2-1.

The finalists drew the first of five games, then Ohemeng won the second before Ortega’s two straight wins and a draw in the final game clinched victory for the Community 1 favourtite.

Ortega won the GH¢1,000 prize money at stake, while Ohemeng collected GH¢500 for placing second.

Mark Boadi, who was beaten by Ortega in the semi-finals, received GH¢300 after beating Kojo Dadzie in the third-place play-off.

A rather reserved Ohemeng had defied the odds to reach the final, beating some notable names, including Kojo Dadzie in the semi-finals, on his way.

Any doubts about his ability to match Ortega were quickly dispelled when he forced a draw in the opening game before going on to take the lead with the second game.

At the time, he seemed to have won over the majority of fans and players around, but Ortega managed to steady his game to claim control and eventual victory.

The three-day competition attracted some of the most notable names in draught in Tema and surrounding areas, and Park Kojo Okyere, chief executive of Parkland Enterprise, which organised the event, said he was encouraged to make the next edition even bigger.

Graphic Sports/graphic.com.gh/Ghana