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Tag: Scrabble

  • Boards and Buffett retreat, a new, bright begining of scrabble on The Plateau

    Boards and Buffett retreat, a new, bright begining of scrabble on The Plateau

    “The Boards & Buffet Retreat was a huge success. It brought out the best On The Plateau and our friends from outside the State together in celebration to honour a scrabble enthusiast who is one of the Pillars of the mind game in “The Home of Peace and Tourism.”

    This is how the Chairman of Plateau State Scrabble Association (PSSA), Mohammed Abbas, described the recently concluded Boards & Buffet Retreat with 52 participants in attendance in Jos, the Plateau State capital North Central, Nigeria.

    Abbas further stated that; “This event like many others before it was meant to help us graduate more of our players from social to competitive scrabble as manifested  in the quality of play and observance of competition rules as well as the growing number of entrants for these events.”

    “The Boards & Buffet Retreat retreat pushed Plateau Scrabble a notch higher as inclusion of the veterans category expanded our categories from two to three categories.” The Chairman added.

    Ughomaria Umokoro, won the 26 man strong Division A category of the Retreat with 7 wins and a cumulative of plus 1131 points ahead Alhassan Shaibu who recorded 6 wins just like the Ola sisters, Joy and Blessing. However Alhassan Shaibu had a better cumulative points of 762, Joy had 587 while Blessing secured 90 points cumulative.

    The Division B title went to young and promising player Hauwa Abdullahi with 7 wins and a cumulative points of 573. Kelvin Pam lost out of the top honour in that division by 5 cumulative points difference, he had the same number of wins like Hauwa Abdullahi. Emmanuel Almagani was third in the 18 man field.

    Division C, reserved for the veterans went Obed Okere.

    The event which is State rated enables players to earn rating points towards qualification for the Numero Uno Challenge coming up in March 2024, where the top ten players on the State rating will compete for the bragging right of the Lord On The Plateau.

    The Retreat was indeed an exciting experience. It was wonderful having to honour a Scrabble enthusiast on the Plateau in the person of Mr. Dadung Botmang, a rising political figure on The Plateau.

    “The future of Scrabble on the Plateau is bright and promising and assured by the mark already made by young players from Plateau State on the National level. With the assistance of spirited individuals, lovers of Scrabble and  the Government, ably represented by the Plateau State Director of Sports at the Retreat, Plateau State Scrabble will reach heights never imagined.” The Chairman concluded.

    Meanwhile, Alex Bot-Mang Dadung in whose honour the Retreat was staged was full of praise and kind words for the Plateau State Scrabble Association (PSSA) led by its Chairman Mohammed Abbas, the players and other Scrabble stakeholders in the North Central region of Nigeria and Plateau State in particular.

    “On behalf of me and my family, I want to take out time to appreciate each and every one of you that contributed and attended this ospicious occasion marking my birthday, I want to say thank you, I pray and wish that the Scrabble family will grow bigger and stronger. Nagode.” He stated.

    We understand that the event is likely to be an annual scrabble competition in the years to come as Mr Alex Bot-Mang Dadung and his network of friends and associates are ready and willing to support it.

  • Let’s continue to use sports to unite Nigeria, President Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Toke Aka

    Let’s continue to use sports to unite Nigeria, President Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Toke Aka

    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), High Chief, Engineer Toke Aka, has called on all sports men and women as well as administrators in the country and those in the diaspora to continue to use their unique God given talents to unite the country.
    Aka made this passionate appeal on Sunday in Kabba, Kogi State where he joined millions of Nigerians to celebrate the country’s 63rd independence anniversary.
    “As Nigeria celebrates it’s 63 years of Independence, there is the need for us in the sports sector of the economy to reflect on our success stories, challenges, setbacks and failures, however more importantly is the need to celebrate those that have continued to achieve successes despite these challenges and our sports men and women have done so.” Aka, the Managing Director of Kadegg Nigeria Limited stated.
    “From our rich football, basketball , scrabble, athletics, boxing, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling just to mention but a few, our hard working athletes and administrators have added colour, glory and unity to this great country with their outstanding performances on the continent and the world.” He further said.
    Engineer Aka, therefore, called on the States and Federal Government as well as private sector to adequately fund the sports sector for it to continue to play its multi-purpose roles in the nation.
    “Yes, music, films, fashion, arts and entrepreneurship, there are notable Nigerians that have continued to represent the country in other parts of the world through their creativity, talents and performances but sports men and women are beacons.” Aka stated.
    The former cricketer turn scrabble administrator and scrabble encyclopedia, stressed that each day, sports keep adding value to the country, so it must be well nourished to continue in that routine.
    “Take a look at the kids in Asaba, Delta State for the National Youth Games. It’s all smiles from them. No tribal talk, no politics, no religious argument, it’s all about sports and setting new records and goals, that’s what we are talking about.” He added.
    “As we go about celebrating our 63rd independence anniversary, let all sports stakeholders continue to work toward making the sector grow. The hydro Engineer concluded.
  • National Youth Games: Kwara finishes top in Scrabble event

    National Youth Games: Kwara finishes top in Scrabble event

    Kwara State completed her conquest of the scrabble competition at the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, South South, Nigeria with gold in the boys team event and silver medal in the girls team event on Thursday at the Multi Purpose Hall of Stephen Keshi Stadium.
    Kwara’s boys team of Abdulqudus Aliu, Boluwatife Sufyan and Khalid Olosun dominated the category from start to finish and hitting the likes of Bayelsa, Edo, Imo, Anambra and Ogun on the way to glory, picking up 8 wins and a massive 2517 cumulative points in the process.
    Bayelsa took the silver medal with 5 wins and minus 438 points and Edo settled for bronze with 4 victories and a minus 311 cumulative points.
    The likes of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Ekiti, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau and Rivers could not participate in the team event because they all fell short of the number required to form a team.
    The president of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka, blamed this ugly development on the door steps of the various State Sports Council for lack of foresight and poor planning.
    “Most of the State Sports officials don’t understand how sports is administered and some focus on football to the detriment of the so called lesser sports. “Look at most of the States that came with a complete team, are returning home with at least a medal or two to show for their participation.” Aka said.
    The girls team event gold went to Plateau State with 7 wins and 1785 cumulative points ahead of Kwara State that got 6 wins with a 1303 points. Team Ogun came third with 6 wins too but a less cumulative points of plus 1178.
    That bronze medal is Ogun State’s only medal in the scrabble event at the 7th National Youth Games despite the huge financial investment committed to the game of words in the Gateway State by the new Chairman of the State Scrabble Association, Adekoyejo Adegbesan in the last 14 months.
    Just like in the boys event, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, Kebbi, Niger Oyo and Rivers could not field a team despite being at the Games.
     At the end of the scrabble competition at the 7th National Youth Games, 8 States registered their presence on the medal table dominated by Kwara State with 3 gold and 2 silver.
    Other States on the podium after three days of the grueling competition are Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun and Plateau.
     Abdulqudus Aliu and Boluwatife of Kwara State are the toast and poster kids of the scrabble event. Aliu returns to Ilorin with 3 gold while Sufyan won 2 gold and silver medal in the boys category.
    The chairman of Bayelsa State Scrabble Association (BSSSA), Daniel Alabrah is not totally satisfied with the scrabble team’s performance of two silver. “Yes two silver medals is not bad one but it’s not good enough and there is still room for improvement.” Alabrah said.
    Alabrah who is also the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Bayelsa State, further stated that the inclusion of the student category in to the governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship is partly responsible for the growth of the game of words in the oil rich coastal State.
    “Kwara State build up for the Games was longer and better but I can assure you that, Bayelsa State will improve significantly in subsequent Games and national championship.” Daniel Alabrah a seasoned journalist concluded.
    It’s noteworthy to state that all the medalists are part of Team Nigeria to the forthcoming coming World Youth Championship in December in Thailand.
    However, the team may not make the trip due to lack of funds.
    This is the final medal table for scrabble at the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
    Kwara 3 gold 2 silver
    Lagos 1 gold 1 silver
    Plateau 1 gold 1 silver
    Edo 1 gold 2 bronze
    Bayelsa 2 silver
    Delta 2 bronze
    Anambra 1 bronze
  • Kwara, Edo win boys and girls singles category in scrabble

    Kwara, Edo win boys and girls singles category in scrabble

    Kwara and Edo have won the singles category of the scrabble event of the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, South South, Nigeria.
    Kwara took the gold medal through Abdulqudus Aliu with 9 wins and a cumulative points of plus 1037 points ahead of another Kwaran Boluwatife Sufyan who recorded 8 wins and plus 943 cumulative points.
    Home boy, Clinton Imode, came third as a result of a lower cumulative points of plus 878. He had 8 wins just like Sufyan. Edide Pereowei, of Bayelsa State who oscillating and inter change the first and second spot on the log with Abdulqudus Aliu eventually fourth as he could only take one game in the King of the Hall on Match Day 2 of the scrabble event at the Games.
    Eight year old scrabble wiz kid Saviour Onazi who was within touch distance of a podium finish lost his last game in the singles event at Kwara’s Boluwatife Sufyan to end at the fifth spot overall.
    After the grueling competition, Abdulqudus Aliu has this to say. “I feel elated, and I know my coach will be proud of me. It is a great success that I have always wanted. People have wished me gold, and I believe gold is what I coming for, and I thank God I made it.”
     The girls singles title went to Edo State Joy Nwabuzor. Nwabuzor did a ten over ten as she did not drop a game and she had a cumulative of 1578 points. Sophia Ekeruche of Lagos State with 8 and 1175 cumulative points pushed the front runner on Day 1, Victoria Chukwuemeka with 8 wins also and 826 points to the third place.
    A very elated Joy Nwabuzor, said. “The whole thing was overwhelming. Winning this gold medal means a lot to me because this is my last outing in the National Youth Games. I am so happy I won this game.”
    She attributed her success story to the cloud of positive people around her. “People around me, they helped me a lot and I did some personal work on myself. At my first game in Ilorin in 2019, I came out in the fourth position, while in 2021, I finished third.” she said.
    The father of Saviour Onazi who came fifth in the boys singles category is pleased with his performance at the Games, Mr. Patrick Onazi explained that his eight year old son is ticking the right boxes as he continues to flourish in the game of words.
    Shortly after the singles category was concluded, the President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Engineer Toke Aka told your authoritative Scrabble News Channel that the medal spread is a clear testimony that the game of words is growing nationwide.
    “Just like the National Sports Festival, the National Youth Games is telling a very positive story that scrabble has national spread and appeal and I want to tell other coaches and administrators in the word game family to go and learn from Kwara, Edo Delta Anambra and Lagos how to catch them young and turn tiles to gold, silver and bronze medals. Toke Aka said.
    The double category in scrabble at the 7th National Youth Games started shortly after the conclusion of the singles event and will come to a close on Wednesday while the team event will follow.
    70 players from 17 States representing all the 6 Sporting Zones of the country are participating in the scrabble event at the Games.
    This is the scrabble medal table at the 7th National Youth Games:
    Kwara 1 gold 1 silver
    Edo 1 gold
    Lagos 1 silver
    Anambra 1 bronze
    Delta 1 bronze
  • Nigeria is ready to host the second edition of West Africa Scrabble Championship – NSF boss, Toke Aka

    Nigeria is ready to host the second edition of West Africa Scrabble Championship – NSF boss, Toke Aka

    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Engineer, Chief Toke Aka, says they are ready to host a befitting second edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC) later this year.
    Aka told your authoritative Scrabble News Channel that (NSF) is working hand in hand with the Scrabble Associations of Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone for a hitch free event.
    Seventy five wordsmith from five countries are expected to compete for honours at the championship which was last won by Eta Karo in the individual category and Team Nigeria in the team event.
    We understand that Abuja is likely to host the competition scheduled to hold in the month of November and the Nigeria Scrabble Federation has set in motion plans for a memorable Championship.
    The federal capital city may have got the nod to host the regional tournament because of its strategic importance, location, excellent hotel facilities, strong government presence and sporting culture.
    The 28 rounds of games competition is open for sponsorship and Chukwudi Ehibudu, who heads the marketing drive of NSF says, about fifty million naira will be needed to stage the event.
    We gathered that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Championship will be announced by the President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Engineer Toke Aka, who is the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) early next month.
    Engineer Toke Aka, explained that, the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC), is one of the major events in the calendar of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF).
    At the first edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship in Accra the Ghanaian capital, Nigeria’s Eta Karo, took the top prize with 21 wins from 28 games and a cumulative of plus 1,357 points.
    Enoch Nwali, another Nigerian came second with 19 wins and a cumulative of plus 1,190 points ahead of Wellington Jighere a former World and two time African Champion who recorded 18 wins and a cumulative of plus 1,020.
    Nine Nigerians were among the top ten at the close of the Championship.
    The New Kid on block Doko Oluwatimilehin now a 400 level pharmacy student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) who made his first major outing for the national team came an impressive fifth in 40 man strong field.
    The best Ghanaian player at the competition Charles Tachie-Menson came tenth with 15 wins and draw with plus 611 cumulative and a year later he went ahead to have an impressive run at the WESPA Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA where he finished among the top ten players at number 8.
    The team event crown went to Team Nigeria while Sierra Leone came second ahead of The Gambia and host Ghana.
    This was the top ten table after three days of gruelling jamming sessions that was laced with upsets in each of the 28 rounds.
    1. Eta Karo
    21 wins and +1,357 pts
    2. Enoch Nwali
    19 wins and +1,190 pts
    3. Wellington Jighere
    18 wins and +1020 pts
    4. Nsikak Etim
    18 wins and +930 pts
    5. Doko Oluwatimilehin
    17 wins and +837 pts
    6. Ehibudu Chukwudi
    17 wins and +411 pts
    7. Olatunde Oduwole
    17 wins and +317 pts
    8. George Ezinore
    16 wins and +507 pts
    9. Emmanuel Ofidi
    16 wins and +236 pts
    10. Charles Tachie-Menson
    15½ and +611 pts
    Due to lack of funds Nigeria’s team to Ghana travelled by road. Team Nigeria standing.
    Eta Paul Karo (1)
    Enoch Tochukwu Nwali (2)
    Wellington Jighere (3)
    Nsikakabasi Solomon Etim (4)
    Doko Oluwatimilehin (5)
    Chukwudi Ehibudu (6)
    Olatunde Oduwole (7)
    George Ezinore (8)
    Emmanuel Ofidi (9)
    Emmanuel Umujose (11)
    Dipo Akanbi (12)
    John Curtis (13)
    Oshevire Avwenagha (14)
    Jack Mpakaboari (22)
    Daystar Atti (25)
  • PANASA President’s Cup, is ground breaking – SM Quartey

    PANASA President’s Cup, is ground breaking – SM Quartey

    A very passionate and dependable stakeholder of the game of scrabble in Ghana and Africa, Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey, has described the PANASA President’s Cup as a ground breaking event as far the sport is concern in Africa and the World.
    The man fondly called SM Quartey, made this submission on Saturday in Lagos, Nigeria in an exclusive interview with your authoritative news channel.
    “I’m happy to be in Lagos to witness this tournament which I will call ground breaking. The kind of organization we are seeing here is taking the game of Scrabble to another level. Before the tournament and during the tournament, I have seen a kind of friendship and brotherliness among all the contestants. It’s really like coming togather of one family and such environment is beautiful” Quartey said.
    Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey, a renowned architect and a philanthropist is excited with the standard of organization of both the President’s Cup and the African Youth Scrabble Championship which Ghana is fully represented in.
    “The organization, the set up, the ambiance, fresh customized boards for everybody, the officiating, the quality, everything associated with it, it’s the height of scrabble, it’s a spectacle and I’m happy to be here watching it. He stated.
    SM Quartey, further stressed that Ghana and other African countries should build on the success story of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup. “Am happy to be here in Lagos with our director from the ministry of sports in Ghana, we been taking lessons here, we to go back home and replicate what we seen here.”
    The soft spoken scrabble stakeholder whose architecture master piece dots most parts of ‘Mother-Land’ Ghana has some kind and nice words for the President of PANASA, Adekoyejo Adegbesan. “Adegbesan’s presidency represents a new wave for African scrabble, it’s not a surprise but I’m excited about it.”
    On the issue of corporate backing and support, the Post Graduate Diploma holder in Architecture, from the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology of Ghana, explained that it’s not just about getting corporate bodies to throw their weight behind the game but corporate bodies that are connected and can relate with the sport is what is needed for it to be lifted all round.
    “Scrabble as a game is best supported by people who have love for the game not just corporate bodies who have no connection with the game, so some of our old enthusiasts who are concentrating on their corporate businesses, it’s about time we knock on their doors and say come and show some love and support to our common joy, which is scrabble. He stressed.
    He also beckon on the media to identify with the game and tell the story to the world; “ once everybody understand and speak the scrabble language, it will be more easier for sponsorship to follow and sponsorship will sure drive the competition and more money will attract more persons to the sport.”
    Another scrabble project that Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey, is asking the Scrabble fraternity in Ghana, Africa and the World to buy into, is the plan by the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), to push for Accra, Ghana, to be the next host of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) Championship in 2025.
    PANASA, the Scrabble Association of Ghana (SAG) the Ghana Ministry of Sports, the Ghana National Sports Authority and all relevant bodies as well as individuals and WESPA member nations are being consulted for Accra, Ghana 2025 to be born.
    “You know we have scrabble greats in Ghana like Charles Tachie Menseh, he is among the top ten players at the last world championship, he will be more than happy to welcome the rest of the World to Ghana in 2025. The conversation is in it’s very early stages, there are consultations going on, the thought of it alone is exciting and one thing that making it more interesting is the fact that the PANASA President Adegbesan is very passionate about it and he is driving the move, it not just a Ghanaian bid but a united African project. He emphasized.
    SM Quartey is wearing multiple caps as regard the PANASA President’s Cup (PPC), the second prize and trophy is named after him. The Ghanaian is both an individual sponsor and a corporate partner of the elite event through his firm Atelier Gh and on a personal level as S.M.Quartey. It’s interesting and instructive to know that atelier the name of Quartey’s company is a playable scrabble word. “It an honour to have the second prize trophy named after me, I’m elated, excited and I feel honoured and equally appreciated too.”
    Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey, alongside, Haruna Adamu, the President of Scrabble Association of Ghana (SAG), the Scribe if SAG, Christie Ashley, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare and the PANASA President Adegbesan had a very heavy hand in making scrabble part of the next All African Games to be hosted by Ghana in March next year.
    It’s noteworthy to state that the PANASA President’s Cup is the largest scrabble jamming session on the continent since the game was firmly rooted in Africa. Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Uganda United States of America and host Nigeria are participating in the event that has a prize money pool of 32,000 dollars.
    About The Man Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey
    Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey completed Post Graduate Diploma in Architecture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology of Ghana and served as a teaching assistant before joining Rhaycad, an Architectural Practice in Accra for 3 years.
    At Rhaycad, S.M.Quartey was exposed to the use of computer in Architecture and worked on projects such as the Chamber of Parliament, Kakum National Park and Latter Day Saints Temple.
    S.M.Quartey, later joined Deweger Gruter Brown and Partners in 1997, worked for another 5years on projects such as Standard Chartered Bank, Ring Road and Spintex, Dansoman and Sunyani, Apex Bank Head Office and Palm Court all in Ghana.
    He started his own practice registered as Atelier in 2003. Atelier which is a playable scrabble word is credited with outstanding projects such as the CAL Bank Head Office, National Communication Authority Head Office (NCA), Allied Oil Head Office, UNA Home, KEK Insurance Head Office, The Elizabeth building and to mention but a few.
    The very passionate Scrabble stakeholder also served as Honourary Secretary of the Ghana Institute of Architects in 2004 and later the president of the Ghana Institute of Architects.
  • Two major historic scrabble events begins today in Lekki-Lagos

    Two major historic scrabble events begins today in Lekki-Lagos

    The eagerly anticipated inaugural editions of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) begins this Thursday morning at the Orchid Hotel, Ikota-Lekki and the Chrisland School also in Lekki, Lagos State, South West, Nigeria.
    Over 225 players from Africa and America are competing for honours at the twin events that will last for four days. Players from countries such as Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, The Gambia, Uganda, United States of America and host Nigeria will feature at the events.
    The PANASA President’s Cup (PPC) is an elite one category event open to scrabble players across the globe while the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) is reserved for young players in Africa who are 19 years and under, with two categories to compete for, U-15 and U-19.
    The governor of Turkana County Province of Kenya, His Excellency Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan who is the special guest of honour will declare both Championships open beginning with the President’s Cup by 8am and the African Youth Scrabble Championship by 10am all within the Lekki axis of Lagos State.
    The governor on arrival paid a courtesy visit to the Oba Oniru of Iruland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II and he also visited a frontline Pan African educationist, Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika, the founder of the famous and prestigious Chrisland Schools.
    32,000 dollars is the prize money pool for the President’s Cup and 9,000 dollars has been set aside as prize money for the African Youth Scrabble Championship. The AYSC have lots of spot prizes and gift items ranging from Laptops to tablets and smart phones for the participants.
    On Saturday, after two scheduled rounds of games, the visiting young players will go on an exscution to landmark locations in the city of Aquatic Splendor like National Museum, Lekki Conservation Park, Kalakuta Museum, Nike Arts Gallery and do some shopping too.
    In a bid to encourage more female participation in the game of Scrabble, the Continental Governing Body of the game of words has ear marked special prizes for the best female at the end of the challenging and grueling competition the will last for four days with 25 rounds of games.
    In addition to the individual prizes, the top team will smile home with 1000 dollars. A team at the President’s Cup is made up of at least three players from the same country and it’s limited to only the African countries at the championship.
    The winner of the President’s Cup will get 5,000 dollars and the Gbenga Ojofeitimi trophy, SM Quartey trophy will be handed to the second prize winner and a cash prize of 2,500 dollars and 1,700 dollars and the Ojior Osikhena trophy goes to the third best player.
    Nine rounds of games will be played on Day 1 of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup and the games starts 9am, each player has 25 minutes per round of game. It’s both PANASA and WESPA rated and their rules applies in this Championship. 2021 Collins Scrabble Words Dictionary is the reference material for the tournament.
    Former African champion and winner of the Engineer Toke Aka National Jubilee Championship, Nsikak Etim is the President’s Cup number one seed, West Africa Scrabble champion and holder of the NSF Green Jacket Eta Karo is the second seed while Health Education student of the University of Lagos who is also the winner of third edition of Governor Douye Diri national championship, Enoch Nwali completes the top three.
    The highest ranked foreign player in the 135 man strong field that include 8 ladies is Kenya’s Allan Oyende at number 8 and Gitonga Nderitu another Kenyan at 15th while Uganda’s Edgar Odongkara is at number 20.
    Ogun State born coach and player Bukunmi Afolayan who is also into music is the highest ranked female participant at number 40.
    Kenya with 13 players has the largest contingent outside the host nation, Nigeria. Uganda is in Lagos for the President’s Cup will 11 players, 10 are from Liberia and Ghana the next host of the event are in town with a 7 man strong team.
    Botswana, Cameroon, The Gambia and the United States of America are represented by one wordsmith each at the President’s Cup (PPC) taking place at the serine and classy Orchid Hotel Ikota-Lekki in Lagos.
    The top 20:
    1 2353 NGA Nsikak Etim
    2 2247 NGA Eta Karo
    3 2209 NGA Enoch Nwali
    4 2208 NGA Godwin Victor
    5 2207 NGA Wellington Jighere
    6 2188 NGA Dojo Oluwatimilehin
    7 2150 NGA Emmanuel Umujose
    8 2147 KEN Allan Oyende
    9 2140 NGA John Aiyedun
    10 2133 NGA Dennis Ikekeregor
    11 2067 NGA Cyril Umebiye
    12 2058 NGA Hakeem Olaribigbe
    13 2048 NGA James Ewruje
    14 2032 NGA Ezinore George
    15 2029 KEN Gitonga Nderitu
    16 2025 NGA Abiola Adegbola
    17 2017 NGA Precious Igali
    18 1999 NGA Olumide Oyejide
    19 1955 NGA Anthony Ikolo
    20 1992 UGA Edgar Odongkara
    Six rounds of games will be decided in the African Youth Scrabble Championship on Day 1. 24 rounds of games will be played over four days of competition at the AYSC holding at the prestigious Chrisland School Lekki.
    In the U-19 category, nine Kenyans and twenty four Nigerians will be viaing for the top prize while three countries, host Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda are represented in the U-15 event, twelve Kenyans, three Ugandans and forty six Nigerians that includes 8 year old scrabble wiz kid, Saviour Onazi.
    The Scrabble feast will be brought to a befitting end on Sunday with the first PANASA Awards and Gala Night starting 7pm Nigerian time. During the Gala Night. PANASA will unwrap the details of the next host of the President’s Cup, the African Youth Scrabble Championship and the dates for the African Scrabble Championship to be hosted by Sierra Leone next year among other plans and programs of the continental body of Scrabble.
    The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) holding between the 24th and 28th of this month have enjoyed huge corporate and individual backing.
  • More super heavyweight dignitaries touch down in Lagos today for PANASA’s twin event

    More super heavyweight dignitaries touch down in Lagos today for PANASA’s twin event

    More top Scrabble dignitaries, sponsors, partners, supporters, officials and stakeholders are due in Lagos today, ahead of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) Championships, the PANASA President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) holding simultaneously in Africa’s fifth largest economic city.
    One of the Super Heavyweight dignitaries storming Lagos from Accra, the Ghanaian capital aboard Air Peace for the competitions is Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey, known in the Scrabble fraternity and construction and building industry as S.M.Quartey.
    S.M.Quartey is wearing multiple caps as regard the PANASA President’s Cup (PPC), the second prize and trophy is named after him. The Ghanaian is both an individual sponsor and a corporate partner of the elite event through his firm Atelier Gh and on a personal level as S.M.Quartey.
    S.M.QUARTEYA AND ATELIER- CORPORATE PARTNERS OF PANASA
    Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey completed Post Graduate Diploma in Architecture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology of Ghana and served as a teaching assistant before joining Rhaycad, an Architectural Practice in Accra for 3 years.
    At Rhaycad, S.M.Quartey was exposed to the use of computer in Architecture and worked on projects such as the Chamber of Parliament, Kakum National Park and Latter Day Saints Temple.
    S.M.Quartey, later joined Deweger Gruter Brown and Partners in 1997, worked for another 5years on projects such as Standard Chartered Bank, Ring Road and Spintex, Dansoman and Sunyani, Apex Bank Head Office and Palm Court all in Ghana.
    He started his own practice registered as Atelier in 2003. Atelier which is a playable scrabble word is credited with outstanding projects such as the CAL Bank Head Office, National Communication Authority Head Office (NCA), Allied Oil Head Office, UNA Home, KEK Insurance Head Office, The Elizabeth building and to mention but a few.
    The very passionate Scrabble stakeholder also served as Honourary Secretary of the Ghana Institute of Architects in 2004 and later the president of the Ghana Institute of Architects.
    Another scrabble stakeholder who is due in Lagos today, is the President of Scrabble Association of Ghana (SAG), Haruna Adamu who was recently elected as an executive member of World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA).
    Also expected in Lagos Wednesday, is the man with impeccable scrabble credentials fondly called the Jagaban of the game of words, Engineer Toke Aka, the President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) who led PANASA for 12 solid years and gave it oxygen and fertilizer to breath, grow and stabilize.
    The consummate administrator and scrabble encyclopedia who was recently re-elected as an executive member of World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA will be landing in Lagos along with the very sound, articulate and equally dynamic Technical Director of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) John Curtis.
    On Tuesday, Team Kenya and Uganda arrived for the two championships on the wings of Kenya Airways with the governor of the largest County Province in Kenya, Turkana County Province, Honourable Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan in the entourage as a special guest of PANASA.
    The governor on arrival paid a courtesy visit to the Oba Oniru of Iruland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II and he also visited a frontline Pan African educationist, Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika, the founder of the famous and prestigious Chrisland Schools.
    Honourable Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan, said Team Kenya is in Nigeria to capture the top honours at the President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC).
    “For the first time I’m in Nigeria, I have been yearning to be in Nigeria and now, I’m here. The most important thing is coming and interacting with our colleagues in Nigeria and make good friends, this is a country we love. We are here to win.” The governor said.
    Players from countries such as Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, United States of America, Zambia and host Nigeria will feature at the four-day events.
    The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) holding between the 24th and 28th of this month have enjoyed huge corporate and individual backing.
  • PANASA backs Ghana’s WESPA Championship 2025 hosting bid

    PANASA backs Ghana’s WESPA Championship 2025 hosting bid

    The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), says they’re fully backing Ghana’s bid to stage the biggest Scrabble event on planet earth, the WESPA Championship in two years time.
    The President of PANASA, Adekoyejo Adegbesan made this known at the weekend in a chat with your authoritative news channel.
    “The Accra, Ghana 2025 WESPA Championship bid is a United Pan African bid and all member Associations of PANASA are in support of it and will work for it’s realization.” Adegbesan stated.
    Adegbesan, a tech expert, said: “We are already reaching out to other countries for the Pan African bid and the response is positive and equally encouraging. Africa has done alot for the growth of Scrabble globally, it time for us to also get what we truly deserve.”
    In a bid to lubricate and make the the Pan African WESPA Championship 2025 bid irresistible to the World Scrabble fraternity and stakeholders, the Scrabble Association of Ghana (SAG), and the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), have lined up series of competitions around the bid.
    These includes the PANASA President’s Cup 2025, the Ghana National Open as well as the West Africa Challenger that will cover a period of two weeks.
    “Just like it happened during the last WESPA Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, we want to make Accra 2025 a two solid week of Scrabble feast to the rest of the World. Africa is big when it comes to the game of words and mind, that’s what we want the World to know, feel, see and enjoy.” The PANASA boss added.
    As regard funding and sponsorship, the passionate Scrabble administrator, says the success story of the 2023 PANASA President’s Cup (Lekki-Lagos 2023), in the area of corporate backing will rub on WESPA Championship 2025 and the government of Ghana is fully committed in making it a huge success.
    It’s interesting to note that a good number of corporate bodies and well meaning individuals are strongly behind the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup Lekki-Lagos 2023.
    The list include, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Friesland Campina WAMCO Plc, Kenya Airways, Diageo Nigeria, Air Peace, Winifred Awosika Foundation, Ojeyz Security based in Ghana, Ayoci Energies Ltd, Atelier Architects, which is also a Ghanaian firm, Thrive Agriculture, SocialLiga, Midas Farm, Cinq-SAA, Madoms Global Trade, Boaz Commodities Ltd, Petrichor Group of Industries and BradMein Nigeria Ltd among others
    Well meaning stakeholders and individuals with deep pockets and kind hearts like Engineer Gbenga Ojofeitimi, Musa Olasupo, Engineer Ojior Osikhena, Samuel Anikoh, Austin Isiekwe and SM Quartey have been oiling the sponsorship, partnership and support base of the PANASA President’s Cup.
    172 players from 12 countries in Africa and America will be competing for honours at the President’s Cup that has a prize pool of 32,000 dollars.
    We also understand that the second edition of the African Youth Scrabble Championship (SYSC), will be hosted by Kenya in 2025 in the beautiful city of Nairobi.
  • PANASA President’s Cup gets customized Scrabble boards

    PANASA President’s Cup gets customized Scrabble boards

    The customized boards to be used during the maiden edition of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), President’s Cup holding between the 24th and 28th of this month at the Orchid hotel, Ikota-Lekki, Lagos State, South West Nigeria has arrived the host City.
    This cheering news was made public to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos by the President of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan.
    Adegbesan, explained that the Pakistani made Scrabble boards arrived Nigeria through the Muhammad Muritala International Airport, Lagos and it has since been cleared and moved to the PANASA Secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos.
    “We bought 100 Pro-boards and 20 semi Pro-boards. These boards were customized for PANASA by Star Boards in Pakistan and the boards, the freight and local clearing in Nigeria cost PANASA N11,079,750:00.” Adegbesan who is also the Chairman of Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), told newsmen.
    The PANASA President affectionately called the Sheikh stated that they invested heavily on the boards to that ensure the continental body has boards for all her events.
    “The boards will be deployed at PANASA organized events and other events. PANASA will support East and Central Africa Scrabble Association (ECASA), in Botswana next year with the use of these boards. The President added.
    We understand that the semi Pro-boards will be donated to countries who are members Association of PANASA but still play mostly on paper boards. Some will also be deployed to countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe where Scrabble is also starting to grow. This will be donated alongside the training materials that PANASA has been donating to member countries.
    WHAT MAKES THE PANASA CUSTOMIZED BOARDS UNIQUE:
    ★ The board’s base is a vast improvement from the previous ones
    ★ The surface is from matte which means it has no scratch marks and zero reflection
    ★ The material is ABS which is unbreakable so the board will never crack
    ★ light weight and handy
    ★ Since it is an all purpose made base, it has grooves to fit in the transparent grid and the monogram to avoid any damage
    172 players from 12 countries in Africa and America have registered for the maiden edition of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), President’s Cup and 32,000 US dollars has been set aside as prize money.
    All the Super Heavyweight wordsmiths on the continent are coming to ‘the City of Excellent’ Lagos to show their dexterity, word power, board management and resilience as well as enjoy the warm hospitality, culture and friendliness of the city of aquatic splendor.
    The winner of the President’s Cup will smile to the bank with 5,000 dollars and the Engineer Gbenga Ojofeitimi trophy and it’s a 44cm tall Cuchulainn Crystal Trophy and it comes with a lid and polished wooden base.