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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.

Team List

Male

  1. Wellington Jighere
  2. Nsikakabasi Etim
  3. Okiemute Tega
  4. Jimoh Abdulmumin

Female

  1. Temituoyo Mayuku
  2. Adebisi Adekansi
  3. Joy Ola
  4. Akpos Malafakumo

 

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.NSF National InterClub Championships logo

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. Enoch NwaliUnder 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 vs Tega

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)

Winner, Doko Oluwatimilehin with trophy and friends.
Winner 2nd West African Scrabble Championship poses with friends

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.

NSF President Toke Aka presents prize.
Prize presentation by the President, NSF, Toke Aka

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 @ 2nd WASC
Team Nigeria @ 2nd WASC

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.

Former African champion Nsikak Etim meets Doko on the board
Former African champion Nsikak Etim meets the WASC champion.

"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".

NSF President Toke Aka at the closing ceremony 2nd WASC.
NSF President Toke Aka at the closing ceremony 2nd WASC.

"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.

Team Ghana
WASC Team Ghana

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.

Team Gambia
Team Gambia

For standings and statistics of the tournament click here

Timetable 2nd West African Scrabble Championship Lagos

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.

Invitees List

NSF WASC 2023 Invitees

Name Club No. of Local Tourneys Remarks
Godwin VICTOR Warri Scrabble Club17 Current No.1 ranked resident Player/ EEAST Champion - 2023/ PANASA President’s Cup Champion - 2023.
Doko OLUWATIMILEHIN Unilag Scrabble Club6 MGI Grand Slam Finalist - 2023
Rex OGBAKPA Sapele Scrabble Club5 Former African Champion
Nsikak ETIM Shell Scrabble Club13 Former African Champion/MGI Grand Slam Champion - 2023
Enoch NWALI Unilag Scrabble Club14 Reigning African Champion - Champion Douye Diri Classic - 2023
Jighere WELLINGTON Sapele Scrabble Club14 Former two time African Champion Former World Champion - 2015 Reigning NASPA Champion - 2023
Anthony ODOK Apex Scrabble Club16 MGI MSPL Patron’s Cup Champion - 2023
Jimoh ABDULMUMEEN Apex Scrabble Club16
Anthony ODOK Apex Scrabble Club27 MGI MSPL Patron’s Cup Champion - 2023
John AYEDUN Pyramid Scrabble Club23 PANASA President’s Cup Semi Finalist - 2023
Ehibudu CHUKWUDI Apex Scrabble Club23
Okiemute TEGA Benin Scrabble Club18
Ben QUICKPEN Yenagoa Scrabble Club13
Olaribigbe HAKEEM Yenagoa Scrabble Club10
Moses PETER Uyo Scrabble Club7 Former two time African Champion/Former National Champion
Eta KARO Warri Scrabble Club N/A Reigning West African Scrabble Champion

Wildcards

NSF WASC 2023 - Wildcards

NameClubNo. of Local TourneysRemarks
TUOYO MayukuWarri Scrabble ClubN/AHighest Rated African Female Player
AFOLAYAN BukunmiAbeokuta Scrabble ClubN/AHighest Rated Nigerian Female Player
ADEYEMI AdeosunIkorodu Scrabble ClubN/APANASA President’s Cup Semi Finalist - 2023
EMMANUEL UmujoseWarri Scrabble ClubN/AFormer Winner - Akpabio Classics
EZINORE GeorgeBenin Scrabble ClubN/APotential to excel

Five (5) players have also been invited as standbys for the team.

NSF WASC 2023 Standby List

NameClubNo. of Local TourneysRemarks
NEGRO IGBINADOLORJos Scrabble ClubN/AStandby
ADEBOLA SAMUELOgun Scrabble ClubN/AStandby
SUNDAY OSHODIIkorodu Scrabble ClubN/AStandby
OPEYEMI OLOROSurulere Scrabble ClubN/AStandby
OYEBOLA ALLIApex Scrabble ClubN/AStandby

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.
(more…)

Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Grand Patron of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Sen. Godswill Akpabio has charged members of Team Nigeria to the World Scrabble Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, to make the country proud at the event. He gave this charge to the team on Tuesday in his office when the team led by NSF President Engineer Toke Aka paid him a visit. (more…)

Members of Nigeria's squad to the forthcoming Scrabble World Championship holding later this month in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, dominated the top places at the just concluded 3rd edition of Governor Douye Diri National Championship.

Las Vegas bound Enoch Tochukwu Nwali, dropped just three games to emerge champion after two days of grueling competition among the top 50 Masters players. He secured 12 wins and a cumulative points of plus 705.

Another member of Team Nigeria to the World Championship, Nsikak Etim who won the Engineer Toke Aka National Jubilee Championship and also the defending champion, came a close second with 11 wins and plus 726 cumulative points ahead of Emmanuel Ofidi who recorded 11 wins but with a lower cumulative points of 343.

Former World Champion Wellington Jighere who started the final day of the championship in the 36th spot navigated his way into the top ten. His 9 wins and a plus 580 cumulative points kept Jighere in the 9th position ahead of Doko Oluwatimilehin another member of Team Nigeria in the 10th spot with 9 wins and plus 576 cumulative points on the final table of the championship named after the current Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri.

It is interesting to note that no player has been able to defend the Masters title successively. In 2021, Oshivere Avwenegha was crowded champion and a year later, he was dethroned by Nsikak Etim a former African Champion.

Enoch Nwali took the top honour this year along with half a million cash prize.

 Masters Category Top Ten

  1. Enoch Nwali 12 wins +705
  2. Nsikak Etim 11 wins +726
  3. Emmanuel Ofidi 11 wins +343
  4. Godwin Victor 10 wins +775
  5. Wasiu Hassan 10 wins +355
  6. Igali Precious 10 wins +255
  7. Moses Peter 10 wins +254
  8. Emmanuel Umujose 9 +658
  9. Wellington Jighere 9 wins +580
  10. Doko Oluwatimilehin 9 wins +576

The Opens title went to Clement Ijegbulem, Chuks Nwaeze came second while Tariyei Alari completed the podium in third place.

Ojior Osikhena who won the Veterans category in first edition of the championship, beat the 24 man field to take the Veteran top position in year's event. Azu Ogbogu and Dokun Esan were second and third respectively in the Veterans category.

John Adeleke won the Youth (students) category with 7 wins and plus 1221 cumulative points. August Shanon came second while Edide Pereowei came third.

Over three million naira was shared among the top ranked competitors in the tournament.

As reported by Maxwell Kumoye (NSF Media and Publicity)

The 3rd annual Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship will hold in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State from the 8th to the 9th of July 2023.

(more…)

Clubs/Players have commenced payments for Club affiliation fees and Player Annual Subscription, respectively to NSF. Listed below are the details of affiliated club and Subscribed players:

AFFILIATED CLUBS (As at 31st May, 2023)

  1. Apex Scrabble Club - Abuja
  2. Central Scrabble Club - Abuja
  3. Egbin Scrabble Club - Ikorodu
  4. Benin Scrabble Club - Benin
  5. Anambra Scrabble Friends Scrabble Club, Awka
  6. Lekki Scrabble Club - Lekki
  7. Building Scrabble Pros (BSP) Scrabble Club, Lagos
  8. Surulere Scrabble Club, Lagos
  9. Sapele Scrabble Club, Sapele
  10. Odi Scrabble Club, Odi
  11. Pyramid Scrabble Club, Abule-Egba
  12. Kwara Scrabble Club, Ilorin
  13. Unilag Scrabble Club, Lagos
  14. Asaba Scrabble Club, Asaba
  15. Sunshine Scrabble Club, Akure
  16. South-Side Scrabble Club, Kaduna
  17. Bayelsa Scrabble Club, Yenagoa
  18. Jos Scrabble Club, Jos
  19. Kano Scrabble Club, Kano
  20. Ibadan Scrabble Club, Ibadan
  21. Warri Scrabble Club, Warri
  22. Central Scrabble Club, Kaduna
  23. Ikorodu Scrabble Club, Ikorodu
  24. NLNG Scrabble Club, Bonny Island
  25. Abeokuta Scrabble Club, Abeokuta
  26. Shell Scrabble Club, Port-Harcourt
  27.  Port-Harcourt Scrabble Club, Port-Harcourt
  28. Safari Scrabble Club, Owerri,
  29. Police Scrabble Club, FCT HQ
  30. Fountain Scrabble Club, Ekiti
  31. Arid Scorpions Scrabble Club, Taraba

FULLY COMPLIED CLUBS (Club Affiliated with at least 7 Subscribed Players) as of 31st May 2023 - to enjoy Incentives.

PARTIALLY COMPLIED CLUBS - Less than 7 subscribed players

Club not yet effective (Requisite criterion of “Minimum of 7Players for Club to be recognized” has not been fulfilled).

Please NOTE:
Penalties for late Club Affiliation/Players Annual Subscription will come into effect on the 1st of June, 2023 (after the lapse of the extension period on the 31st of May, 2023.

From 1st of June, 2023 Tournament files including unsubscribed players for the 2023/2024 Scrabble Season shall not be rated, except the concerned player/s duly meet his/her/their obligations (after either paying the nominal and penalty due or paying the fine associated with playing a tournament having not subscribed through an affiliated Club).

John Curtis (Technical Director)

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