The general guidelines governing the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, scheduled to hold from 15th - 17th April, 2024 in Ijebu-Ode (Ogun State), are as detailed below:
The general guidelines governing the NSF Inter-Club Challenge Competition Grand Finale - 2023/2024, scheduled to hold from 19th - 21st April, 2024 in Ijebu-Ode (Ogun State), are as detailed in the Table below:
The 2024 National Scrabble Festival will commence from the 15th to the 21st of April in Abeokuta Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. The festival is a major event organised annually by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and it comprises of two tournaments viz; the Asaph Zadok National Championship and the NSF Inter Club Challenge. The Annual General Meeting of the Federation will be held during the festival which will be rounded up with an Awards and Gala night.
Twelve Scrabble clubs have already qualified to vie for honours in Ogun State during the Inter-Club Challenge. Each state of the federation is expected to present players to compete at the Asaph Zadok National Championship. The winner of the championship will be presented with a trophy, cash prize and a green jacket designated for the national champion.
Delta State are the defending champions of the Asaph Zadok National Championship, while Eta Paul Karo is the holder of the National Championship title. Warri Scrabble Club are the defending champions of the Inter-Club Challenge.
Further information on the modalities and time-table for the two events will be posted soon.
Click here for guidelines for the 2024 Inter-Club Challenge Finals
The lineup for the NSF Inter Club Challenge Abeokuta-2024 is now complete following the South-South Zonal Play-off in Benin City, Edo State. Benin Scrabble Club, Victory Scrabble Club of Warri, and Uyo Scrabble Club have secured their spots for the finals in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Benin Scrabble Club led the pack with 10 wins and a cumulative points of plus 1287, followed by Victory Club with 9 wins and plus 1390 points. Uyo Scrabble Club, despite a tough run, garnered 6 wins. Unfortunately, Yenagoa Scrabble Club could not make it to the finals, finishing at the bottom with a minus 1035 cumulative points.
In the South-West playoff, UNILAG Scrabble Club, under the leadership of Enoch Nwali, dominated their group with three wins, securing their place in the finals alongside other clubs like Pyramid Scrabble Club and Surulere Scrabble Club. Surulere Club made it to the NSF Inter Club Challenge finals as winners of the second chance playoff of the South West Zone. They edged out Ibadan Scrabble Club and Lekki Scrabble Club with, three wins and a plus 450 cumulative points.
28 clubs from 13 states and the Nigeria Police Club competed in the qualifiers to make it to the finals. The NSF Inter Club Challenge promises intense competition at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta between April 15 to 21, 2024. The qualifiers are as follows:
Apart from the Inter Club Challenge, other events lined up for the NSF Scrabble Festival include the Asaph Zadok National Championship, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and the Awards and Gala Night.
Edited from news stories by Maxwell Kumoye
Nigeria Scrabble players will take a center stage from today at the Scrabble event of 13th All Africa Games currently holding in Ghana. Ably led by the national coach, Anthony Ikolo, eight top Scrabble players have been announced to fly the nation's flag at the games. The Scrabble event will be showcased as a demonstration sport at the games and will begin from March 15 -17 2023, at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) recently announced that a total of 13 countries will be participating, and also that the Scrabble event at the Games in Ghana will be streamed live on its official Twitch channel for viewers globally. Interested viewers can connect to the PANASA official Twitch channel by clicking here to follow the games live. The Scrabble event at the games are in two languages; English and French.
In the English language Scrabble event, Nigeria will be joined by the host nation Ghana, as well as Liberia, Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, South Africa and Zambia while the French language Scrabble competition will feature Benin Republic, Gabon, Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) recently selected a team of eight (8) players to carry the nations flag after an intense three-week camping at Ibadan, Nigeria. The team along with NSF officials including NSF president, Toke Aka and the federation's secretary Ejiro Thukson, are currently in Ghana and are in high spirits to defend the nation's rating as the best Scrabble playing nation in Africa.
Four additional teams have secured spots in the finals of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation Inter Club Championship, set to take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West Nigeria.
The University of Lagos Scrabble Club, Ikorodu Scrabble Club, Pyramid Scrabble Club, and Surulere Scrabble Club, all from Lagos State, earned their places in the finals during the South West Zonal Playoff. 
Under the leadership of Enoch Nwali, current African Scrabble Champion, the University of Lagos Scrabble Club dominated group A, defeating Ibadan Scrabble Club and BSP Scrabble Club. Ibadan Scrabble Club finished second in group A, with BSP Scrabble Club coming in third.
Pyramid Scrabble Club, led by Dipo Akanbi, a former NSF Green Jacket holder, advanced to the final phase of the championship with wins over Surulere Scrabble Club and Egbin Scrabble Club in group B. Ikorodu Scrabble Club secured three wins in group C, outperforming Lekki Scrabble Club and the newly-formed Alausa Scrabble Club. Surulere Scrabble Club qualified for the finals as winners of the second chance Play-Off, defeating Ibadan Scrabble Club and Lekki Scrabble Club.
Kaduna Central Scrabble Club was the first team to secure their place in the finals after defeating South Side Scrabble Club to claim the Northwest slot. Apex Scrabble Club of Abuja, led by Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Technical Director John Curtis, also qualified for the finals from the North Central Zonal Play-Off.
Jos Scrabble Club and Anambra Scrabble Club have also secured their places in the finals, with the South South Zone yet to decide its Play-Off.
Teams through to the finals include Jos Scrabble Club, Apex Scrabble Club, Anambra Scrabble Club, Abeokuta Scrabble Club: the host city club, Kaduna Central Scrabble Club, Surulere Scrabble Club, Ikorodu Scrabble Club, Pyramid Scrabble Club, and the University of Lagos Scrabble Club.
Twenty-eight clubs from thirteen states and the Nigeria Police participated in the race to reach the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship. The Inter Club Championship is part of the NSF Scrabble Festival, which also includes the Asaph Zadok National Championship, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and the Awards and Gala Night.
Delta State is the defending champion of the Asaph Zadok National Championship, with Eta Paul Karo currently holding the NSF Green Jacket.
Edited from reports by Maxwell Kumoye, head, NSF Media and Publicity
Doko Oluwatimilehin, a 500-level Pharmacy student at the University of Lagos has emerged winner of the second edition of the West African Scrabble Championship, (WASC) which took place in Lagos on Saturday the 25th of November 2023.
Doko, who missed the African Scrabble Championship in Lusaka, Zambia and the World Scrabble Championship held in Las Vegas, Nevada USA in July 2023, won nineteen and lost nine rounds of games with a cumulative spread of +1163 points to edge out Tega Okiemute (3rd) and former African champion Moses Peter, who finished second.
The 2nd WASC title holder had an impressive run throughout the three-day Championship. He ended day one at the top of the ladder with 9 wins. At the end of day two, Oluwatimilehin Doko (15 points, +774) and George Ezinore secured 15 wins each but Ezinore finished the day ahead on spread (+1243)
At the start of the final day of the championship, Doko defeated his school mate and current African Scrabble Champion Enoch Nwali 495-293 in game 23 on table 2. He then had to contend with the second runner-up, Tega Okiemute three times in the final KOH rounds; 26, 27 and 28 to claim the WASC title and the two thousand dollar cash prize.
Moses Peter finished in second place after beating George Ezinore 507-418 to amass 18 points with Tega Okiemute (18 points, +1165) but Moses Peter went home with the one thousand dollar first runner-up cash prize because of his higher cumulative (+1351) spread.
Team Nigeria, at the end of the championship asserted its dominance as the powerhouse of Scrabble game in Africa as its players occupied the first to the ninth positions.The players include Okiemute Tega, Karo Eta, Nwali Enoch, Ezinore George, Odoh Anthony, Etim Nsikak and Victor Godwin.The Gambia's Richard Sock finished in the tenth position to receive the hundred dollar cash prize earmarked for the top ten. Charles Tachie-Menson was the best Ghanaian at number 12 at the end of the competition.
Nigeria emerged winner of the team event claiming one thousand five hundred dollar cash prize while Gambia finished ahead of Ghana to claim the one thousand dollar team prize for the first runner-up. Team Ghana took home five hundred dollars for the third best team.
Elated by his feat, Doko admitted that his victory was not a stroll in the pack, saying that it has been a herculean task t combining studies and sports.
"It is very thrilling to win this tournament. I feel elated really, it is a dream come true. I just want to keep improving my game."
The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Toke Aka attributed the emergence of young players like African Scrabble Champion; Enoch Nwali and Doko Oluwatimilehin to the youth Scrabble games organised by the NSF to develop budding talents. "Then they used to have a scrabble game where secondary schools meet and winners emerge. Nwali Enoch and Doko Oluwatimilehin are a product of that tournament".
"They went through all of that, that was like 10 years ago when they started, today they are winning, it is not because they started today. They started a long time ago and we are beginning to see the result of what they started a long year ago,” he said.
The Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh represented by the ministry’s Lagos state Liaison Officer, Ikhana Mbora appreciated the effort of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, NSF for hosting the West African Championship. “We are impressed with the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, NSF. I am not surprised by what we are seeing. I want to thank you all for coming,” he said.
The next edition of the championship is expected to be hosted by Gambia, in 2024.
The second edition of the West African Scrabble Championship hosted by the NSF has commenced in Lekki, Lagos.
The tournament featuring the best of Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia Scrabble players will end on Saturday 25th of November.
28 rounds of Scrabble games will be played to determine the new Scrabble Champion of Africa. Defending champion Eta Karo of Nigeria along with nineteen other players are carrying the nation's flag at the championship.
For standings and statistics of the tournament click here
The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has named a 21 man team for the forthcoming West African Scrabble Championship (WASC) holding in Lagos, South West Nigeria.
The invitees list released by the NSF includes six former African Scrabble Championship winners and the winner of the inaugural West African Scrabble Championship, held last year in Ghana, Mr. Eta Karo. The list also includes several promising young players and two female players.
NSF Technical Director John Curtis who doubles as the Chairman of the Sub Committee Technical and Tournament Logistics, says the West Africa Championship is a 28 games competition. 1 random, 22 lagged and 5 king of the hill pairings.
"Team Nigeria is a mixture of talented youth and experienced wordsmith with decades of major international Championships management coupled with experience." Curtis said.
The tournament is expected to commence from the 22nd of November and be concluded on the 26th of November 2023. 12000 (twelve thousand) US dollars has set aside as cash rewards for the top individual and teams participating in the tournament. More information on the details of the tourney will be published before the tourney's commencement.
| Name | Club | No. of Local Tourneys | Remarks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godwin VICTOR | Warri Scrabble Club | 17 | Current No.1 ranked resident Player/ EEAST Champion - 2023/ PANASA President’s Cup Champion - 2023. | ||
| Doko OLUWATIMILEHIN | Unilag Scrabble Club | 6 | MGI Grand Slam Finalist - 2023 | ||
| Rex OGBAKPA | Sapele Scrabble Club | 5 | Former African Champion | ||
| Nsikak ETIM | Shell Scrabble Club | 13 | Former African Champion/MGI Grand Slam Champion - 2023 | ||
| Enoch NWALI | Unilag Scrabble Club | 14 | Reigning African Champion - Champion Douye Diri Classic - 2023 | ||
| Jighere WELLINGTON | Sapele Scrabble Club | 14 | Former two time African Champion | Former World Champion - 2015 | Reigning NASPA Champion - 2023 |
| Anthony ODOK | Apex Scrabble Club | 16 | MGI MSPL Patron’s Cup Champion - 2023 | ||
| Jimoh ABDULMUMEEN | Apex Scrabble Club | 16 | |||
| Anthony ODOK | Apex Scrabble Club | 27 | MGI MSPL Patron’s Cup Champion - 2023 | ||
| John AYEDUN | Pyramid Scrabble Club | 23 | PANASA President’s Cup Semi Finalist - 2023 | ||
| Ehibudu CHUKWUDI | Apex Scrabble Club | 23 | |||
| Okiemute TEGA | Benin Scrabble Club | 18 | |||
| Ben QUICKPEN | Yenagoa Scrabble Club | 13 | |||
| Olaribigbe HAKEEM | Yenagoa Scrabble Club | 10 | |||
| Moses PETER | Uyo Scrabble Club | 7 | Former two time African Champion/Former National Champion | ||
| Eta KARO | Warri Scrabble Club | N/A | Reigning West African Scrabble Champion |
| Name | Club | No. of Local Tourneys | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| TUOYO Mayuku | Warri Scrabble Club | N/A | Highest Rated African Female Player |
| AFOLAYAN Bukunmi | Abeokuta Scrabble Club | N/A | Highest Rated Nigerian Female Player |
| ADEYEMI Adeosun | Ikorodu Scrabble Club | N/A | PANASA President’s Cup Semi Finalist - 2023 |
| EMMANUEL Umujose | Warri Scrabble Club | N/A | Former Winner - Akpabio Classics |
| EZINORE George | Benin Scrabble Club | N/A | Potential to excel |
Five (5) players have also been invited as standbys for the team.
| Name | Club | No. of Local Tourneys | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEGRO IGBINADOLOR | Jos Scrabble Club | N/A | Standby |
| ADEBOLA SAMUEL | Ogun Scrabble Club | N/A | Standby |
| SUNDAY OSHODI | Ikorodu Scrabble Club | N/A | Standby |
| OPEYEMI OLORO | Surulere Scrabble Club | N/A | Standby |
| OYEBOLA ALLI | Apex Scrabble Club | N/A | Standby |
Additional stories courtesy Maxwell Kumoye (NSF Media and Publicity)
Nigeria completed her sojourn at the 2023 World Scrabble Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA with a respectable fourth and second individual and team final position respectively. Thirty-two (32) preliminary games were played after which the top two players qualified for the best-of-seven finals. One hundred and thirty-five (135) players from twenty-nine (29) countries competed at the tournament.
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