Enoch Nwali, Team Delta and Pyramid SC were cynosures of all eyes as one week of Scrabble action at the National Festival – Gateway 2024 – drew to a close yesterday in Ogun State.
The 4 in 1 National Scrabble Festival NSF included the Asaph Zadok National Championship, the Federation’s Annual General Meeting, the NSF Inter-Club Challenge Finals and the Awards/Gala Night.
Star of the night was none other than the current African Scrabble Champion and winner of the 1st of the 4 events the Asaph Zadok Championship, Enoch Nwali, a UNILAG Health Education student.
“First of all, I want to thank Ogun State for their wonderful hosting, it was a lovely experience being in Ijebu-Ode, for the first time.” the champion said.
“Finally I want to thank God that I won this Cup, last year the title slipped out of my fingers and thank God we are here today. To my teammates, those in Team Lagos and Team UNILAG, thank you for the support and God bless you all.”
In the club event of the National Championship, Team Delta came 1st with Lagos State coming in second place.
Host Ogun State finished a commendable 3rd on 93 victories and a +2684 points.
The NSF Inter-Club Challenge title went to Pyramid Scrabble Club of Lagos with John Aiyedun, Dipo Akanbi, Ayomisipo Akinfemisoye, Olawole Ogedengbe, Adegboyegha Akintokun and Osaghaede Omijeh setting their engines at just the right pace to sweep the top spot once again in style.
Oluwatimilehin Doko of UNILAG Scrabble Club won the Most Valuable Player of the NSF Inter-Club Challenge, winning 24 of 30 points and also won the Award for the player who stayed longest in the number one spot of NSF National ratings for the 2023 season.
The most improved male player – 2023, went to Sylvanus Ikpere while 13th African Games gold medalist, Joy Ola, was named the most improved female player of the outgoing scrabble season.
Tega Okiemute, from WordCrafts SC, played the most rated games in the 2023 season.
All the winners were rewarded handsomely at the Gala Night for their outstanding performances, in the 2023 season and the Scrabble Festival.
The well attended Awards Night had in attendance the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Honourable Isiaka Wasiu, the Head of the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Mr Gbolahun Okeowo, the President Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Toke Aka, the chairman Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA) Adekoyejo Adegbesan, the Technical Director of the Federation John Curtis, among others.
Tag: National Scrabble Festival
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The second edition of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), National Festival ends today at the Rolak Hotel and Suites, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, South West, Nigeria with the final round of games in the Inter Club Challenge and the Awards/Gala Night.
UNILAG Scrabble Club under the stewardship and captaincy of current African Scrabble Champion and Asaph Zadok National Championship winner, Enoch Nwali are dictating the pace after two days of grueling, feisty, scintilating and equally heart pumping play.
Oluwatimilehin Doko, current West African champion, 2023 King of the Jungle Musa Lateef, Jubilee Opens title holder, Tunde Saporu, David Ojih the winner of the 2023 African Youth Scrabble Championship and Jamiu Kareem have been growing from strength to strength with their sterling performances since day One with Student Club initiative.
Surulere SC with 55.91% winning ratio are breathing down the neck of UNILAG SC that are hitting the right notes on 56.31% winning margin.
Defending champions Warri Scrabble Club are sitting third ahead of Apex Scrabble Club of Abuja while Uyo SC complete the top 5 at the end of day two proceedings.
Ibadan SC and Ikorodu SC are not far off from the pacesetters.
However, it will take a sensational performance on the final day for Pyramid Scrabble Club to finish on the podium as they are one place off the the bottom of the log.
Host, Abeokuta SC are languishing at the foot of the table with 38.18 % winning rate.
After the close of the NSF Inter-Club Challenge Finals on Sunday, the scrabble festival which was made possible by the support of the Ogun State Government, will close with the Awards and Gala Night put together to honour the best in Nigerian scrabble.
Enock Nwali, will be decorated with the prestigious NSF National Green Jacket, during the Awards and Gala Night for winning the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, Olatokunbo Joseph Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government alongside other top government functionaries and sports personalities are expected to grace the closing ceremony of the Scrabble Festival.
Adekoyejo Adegbesan, the Chairman of Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), said the body is proud and happy with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s support for the game of words and the Festival.
4 Awards will be handed to players who have been exceptional on the Scrabble scene.
2023 Most improved male and female players, player who played the Most Rated Games and the player who stayed longest in the number one spot on the NSF National ratings for 2023.
The NSF Inter-Club Challenge Finals is part of the 4 in 1 National Scrabble Festival – Gateway 2024, which is supported and hosted by the Ogun State Government. -
The 1st of 4 events at the NSF National Scrabble Festival – Gateway 2024, the Asaph Zadok Championship lived up to expectations on the final day on Wednesday at the Adebowale Banquet Hall of Rolak Hotel and Suites, in the ancient city of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
University of Lagos health education student and current African Scrabble Champion, Enock Nwali, won the three-day championship, sponsored and hosted by the Ogun State Government, as he scooped 20 wins, a draw, and a plus 1220 cumulative points from 28 rounds of games.
Fellow Teammate, John Aiyedun claimed the 2nd spot with 19 victories, 9 losses and +701 points.
Excellent hosts, Ogun State were rewarded for their immense and immeasurable support for the Festival, tagged Gateway 2024, as University of Lagos (UNILAG), final-year Pharmacy student and current West Africa Scrabble Champion, Doko Oluwatimilehin secured the 3rd position.
Doko grabbed the final podium spot with 18 wins, 10 defeats and +1057 cumulative points.
Enock Nwali, will be decorated with the prestigious NSF National Green Jacket on Sunday 21 April during the Awards and Gala Night for winning the competition.
Before Sunday’s event, the AGM of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation will hold today, while the NSF Inter Club Challenge Finals – Challenge your Limit – start tomorrow.
12 clubs will be participating in the Finals to be hosted by Abeokuta Scrabble Club in Ogun State.
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Day 1 of the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship which is the first event in the NSF National Scrabble Festival witnessed it’s fair share of shocks, upsets and exciting moments with Cross River’ Victor Ewarah, surprisingly leading the standings after 10 rounds of games.
Ewarah, ranked 31st on the pre-tournament list, secured the front seat with 8 wins, 2 losses and a plus 719 cumulative point.
James Ewruje, representing Lagos State, was the closest man to Victor, both with the same number of wins, but the tournament 7th seed recorded 10 cumulative points less than the latter.
Africa Scrabble Champion, UNILAG student of Health Education and tournament 2nd seed, Enock Nwali, trailed his fellow Lagos State compatriot with 7 wins a draw and 2 losses with +424 points.
Emmanuel Ekpo from Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel Umujose of Delta State, John Aiyedun with Team Lagos, back-to-back African King Dennis Ikekeregor and Oyo State’ Adegbola Abiola complete the super quintet chasing pack, all with only 3 losses and 7 victories.
Cumulative point is the yard stick that separates the good, from the better, among the occupants of the 4th to 8th positions after a tight day of hostilities, with Emmanuel Ekpo on +300, Emmanuel Umujose with 47 less, 5th seed John Aiyedun with +214, and then Delta State’ Dennis Ikekeregor in 7th spot with the team captain and coach recording a slim +71 cumulative points while Adegbola Abiola’ +48 was good for 8th.
Ryan Jacob, Akwa Ibom’s second representative in the leaders board and Oyo State’ Qamar Adebowale, fill the remaining spaces in the top 10, with both securing 6 and a half wins each from 10 games.
National Sports Festival gold medalist with the African Games swag Jimoh Abdulmumini, is the first man outside the smallest double digit, with 6 victories and plus 372 cumulative points.
★ STAR OF THE DAY
Despite the fact that Kwara State, seemed to be featuring a Youth Team for the biggest and most competitive competition in the Nigeria Scrabble circuit, the toughest and most challenging scrabble circuit on planet earth, the young warriors from Kwara State took the day within their strides and showed all what Nigerian youths have to offer in the mind game.
15 year old Qudus Aliu, was the undisputable youth leader, retaining the top spot for 5 games and table 1 for 7 rounds.
His mastery of bravery and fearlessness earned him the limelight and all mention throughout the day.
Abdulqudus enters Day 2 in the 12th position, an excellent space for the word warrior to continue his mind blowing performance.
The Chairman of Lagos State Scrabble and Monopoly Association and 2017 NSF Green Jacket holder, Dipo Akanbi, was the first recipient of defeat at the hand of the scrabble wizkid.
Friday Inoyo from Rivers State was the next of five to receive defeat as the against the young son of Aliu, the Afonja Warrior.
Qudus’ next victim was Emmanuel Ekpo with Team Akwa Ibom and 16 cumulative points short of +200 was the scoreline, round 4 saw the warrior tear any resistance from FCT’s Daniel Achema.
Sunday Oshodi of Rivers State, was the first person to stop Abdulqudus Aliu right in his tracks, 436-397 was how it ended.
The next set of games gave Qudus – a Senior Secondary School student hoping to study English in the University – the chance to return to the top with a 466-362 win over then second placed, Peter Ebomah who bears the emblem of the Federal Capital Territory.
An extended stay on pole position, was what round 7 threw on his way, with a tight 445-433 win over 9th seed Jimoh Abdulmumini.
His round 7 lead, was his last on day 1, with the next three rounds not providing the right results to crown his relentless jamming and dexterity on the board.
John Aiyedun, continued where Oshodi left off and Jimoh Abdulmumini came back for retribution in round 10.
Qamar Adegbola added salt before Jimoh Abdulmumini, peppered it up in the final round of Day 1.
Away from the wizard of the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, but not too far from him, the 13th to 20th positions housed scrabblers on the same number of wins 6 as Qudus.
PANASA President Cup winner, Godwin Victor called the 13th spot his Monday night residence with +234 points securing his stay, the next spot was meant for West Africa Scrabble Champion, Oluwatimilehin Doko, Day 1 bus stop, and +230 cumulative points bought him a comfortable Day 2 ticket.
Cross Rivers’ Anthony Odok finished the day in 15th place on a plus 208, former World Champion and two time African King, Wellington Jighere, under the umbrella of the Defending champions, Delta State, carrying a plus 129 cumulative points, can call the 16th place his refueling station.
Bayelsa’ Ben Quickpen, Dipo Akanbi, Sunday Oshodi and Dokun Esan complete the top 20.
Lagos State are dictating the pace in the team event with 42 wins and a draw, two more than that of Delta State in the second spot, Ogun State on 31 wins are third while Oyo State are on 28 victories.
The ‘Land of Promise’ Akwa Ibom are punching above their weight as two of the Ibomites are in the top ten positions – Emmanuel Ekpo 4th, Ryan Jacob 9th, two others are with the top 50.
Victor Owokere, one of the three Victors at the Festival is sitting in the 51sth spot in the colours of Akwa Ibom.
They’re are on 23 wins just as Kwara State while The FCT and Rivers are on 21 wins each.
The Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship is part of the 4 in 1 NSF National Scrabble Festival – Gateway 2024, which is proudly and heavily supported by the Ogun State Government. -
The biggest and largest gathering of scrabble players in Nigeria, the 2nd edition of the National Scrabble Festival, NSF, now has a new venue.
The championship, initially scheduled to hold at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has been moved to the historic city of Ijebu-Ode, also in Ogun, South-West Nigeria.
The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka, said the week long Scrabble Festival was moved to a city noted for it’s hospitality and festival-like atmosphere because of some logistics reasons.
“The host State, Ogun, have put every logistics for a hitch free Festival in place, the hotel bills has been paid upfront so that every delegate will leave that Gateway State with lasting memories.” The NSF President said.
Rolak Hotel & Suites was commissioned on the 13th of September, 2014 and was further expanded in 2018, increasing lodging capacity to 110 rooms with improved our services.
“The comfort and safety of the over 200 players, officials, journalists as well as passionate, dedicated sponsors, associates and the sporting family is dear to us, we can’t settle for less, but go the very best in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria’s host of entertainment and festival.” Engineer Toke Aka, an Executive Member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA), added.
The Technical Director of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), John Curtis, stated that each State of the Federation will be represented by six players for the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, while 12 clubs will be competing for honours in the NSF Inter Club Challenge Grand Finale.
Between the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship and the NSF Inter Club Challenge Grand Finals, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation will take place on Thursday the 18th of April, while the NSF Awards and Gala Night holds on Sunday the 21st of April after the end of the Inter Club Challenge Grand Finale.
Warri Scrabble Club, now known as Victory SC that parades famous wordsmith, Emmanuel Umujose, winner of the PANASA President’s Cup, Godwin Victor, Jacob Tone, Larry Etuwa and Akpojotor Ochuko are the defending champions of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
Teams that are through to the finals are:
✓ BENIN SC
✓ WARRI SC
✓ UYO SC
✓ JOS SC
✓ APEX SC
✓ ANAMBRA SC
✓ ABEOKUTA SC
✓ KADUNA CENTRAL SC
✓ SURULERE SC
✓ IKORODU SC
✓ PYRAMID SC
✓ UNILAG Scrabble Club
28 Clubs from 13 States and the Nigeria Police, started the race to reach the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
Delta State, are the defending champions of the Asaph Zadok National Championship, with Eta Paul Karo as the holder of the NSF Green Jacket 2023.
★ TIMELINE OF NSF NATIONAL SCRABBLE FESTIVAL, GATEWAY – 2024
✓ Arrival of players and officials for Asaph Zadok National Championship…Sunday 14th of April, 2024
✓ Asaph Zadok National Championship…Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th of April, 2024
✓ Annual General Meeting (AGM)… Thursday 18th of April, 2024
✓ Arrival of Clubs for the NSF Inter Club Challenge finals…Thursday 18th of April, 2024
✓ NSF Inter Club Challenge finals… Friday 19th to Sunday 21st of April, 2024
✓ Awards and Gala Night…Sunday 21st of April, 2024
woramangra 