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: Scrabble
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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 -
Nigeria emerged champions at the maiden African Games Scrabble Tournament in Ghana after finishing top in the women’s category.
Uganda claimed the ultimate prize in the men’s version with upsets against some of the continent’s powerhouses.
Scrabble is featuring at the Games for the first time but as one of the demonstration sports at “Africa’s Olympics.”
The keenly contested mindgame saw hundreds of scrabble players showcase their word power in 27 rounds at the Alisa Hotel North Ridge in Accra, Ghana.
The encounters unpacked upsets and surprises as the eight English-speaking countries; Liberia, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Sierra Leone in the men’s category in Day One, battle to qualify into the knockout stage.
After thrilling games, Nigeria qualified to face Uganda while Kenya slugged it out against Liberia in the semi-finals.
The turn out of the semi-finals left scrabble enthusiasts in shock as Uganda defeated favourites Nigeria 5 1⁄2 games with a cumulative spread of +95 to get to the final.
Also, Liberia secured 4 wins against Kenya with a cumulative spread of -15 to set up a tantalizing encounter with the Ugandans in the final.
In the third-place pairing, Kenya claimed the bronze medal after 5 wins and 4 losses with a cumulative spread of +152 while Nigeria didn’t make the podium having finished in the fourth position with 3 1⁄2 wins and 5 1⁄2 with a cumulative spread of -95.
However, Nigeria ruled the female category with 6 wins and 3 loses plus a cumulative spread of +325 while Kenya finished second after 3 wins and 6 loses with a cumulative spread of -325.
Zambia won the bronze medal after 9 wins with a cumulative spread of +1104 while Ghana ended in the fourth position losing all the nine matches with a cumulative spread of -1104. -
The game of Scrabble and Sports in general has been identified as one of the major vehicles to take Nigerian youths off the street for a meaningful engagement.
This is according to a key stakeholder and very passionate scrabble lover in the sporting firmament in Nigeria, Engineer Ojior Osikhena.
The civil Engineer made this submission at the weekend in Accra the Ghanaian capital where the African Games are ongoing.
“Sports and scrabble in particular has the power to arrest the minds of our teeming youth population, give a platform to earn a living and equally take them off the street,” Engineer Osikhena explained.
The former Shell Petroleum manager stated that scrabble was what he and his friends as well as business associates used to take hundreds of young off the street and social vices.
“With the support of Shell and my friends with deep pocket, we grow the game of words and turn Warri and the near bye towns and cities into Nigeria’s Scrabble hub, and Warri eventually produced the first African world scrabble champion in Wellington Jighere,” Ojior Osikhena stated.
Osikhena who is a permanent secretary in the ministry of urban planning in Edo State, South South, Nigeria stressed that he will continue to support the game of Scrabble at all levels in Nigeria and on the continent.
It’s is also noteworthy that the third prize trophy of the Pan African Scrabble Association PANASA President’s Cup 2023 was named after Engineer Ojior Osikhena because of his huge contribution to the mind game in Africa.
“I’m eagerly waiting and looking forward to a time in Nigeria and the continent when major corporate bodies will identify with scrabble and support it fully,” He added.
Besides supporting and sponsoring scrabble, the kind hearted Ojior Osikhena has helped in financing the education and careers of many young Nigerians in different part of the country.
At the ongoing African Games in Ghana Engineer Ojior Osikhena rewarded handsomely one of the finest and most accomplished scrabble amazons Tuoyo Mayuku for her unbeaten run in the team event won by Nigeria.
“My happiness and joy increases when ever the players and the game of Scrabble blossom and when the players excel, you just have to acknowledge it and encourage them.” The winner of the 2021 veteran category of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship stressed.
Despite his very busy schedule, the Edo State born engineer and sports administrator regularly graced with his presence all major national and international Championships that also enjoy and benefit from his kind and large heart. -
Four more teams have punched their tickets into the finals of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation Inter Club Championship scheduled to hold in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West Nigeria.
The teams, UNILAG Scrabble Club, Ikorodu SC, Pyramid Scrabble Club and Surulere SC, all from Lagos State, secured their passage into the finals during the South West Zonal Play-Off.
Under the captaincy of current African Scrabble Champion, Enoch Nwali, UNILAG Scrabble Club dominated group A of the South West Play-off, recording three wins over Ibadan SC and BSP SC.
Nwali was supported by Kareem Jamiu who came third in the second edition of ‘Scrabble In The Jungle’ in Lagos last year, Babajide Alagbada, Tunde Saporu, the winner of the 2023 Engineer Toke Aka Jubilee National Open in Abuja.
Ebenezer Toyeme and Victor Ukpe complete the UNILAG squad.
Ibadan SC finished second while BSP SC came third in group A.
Pyramid SC captained by Dipo Akanbi a former NSF Green Jacket holder, navigated their way into the final phase of the NSF Championship with victories over Surulere SC and Egbin SC in group B.
Akanbi won 9 games out of 10 and had the chance to seal the game with 10 over 10, but missed SAPIENS against Olaribigbe Hakeem of Surulere SC.
The 2017 NSF Green Jacket holder played 22 bingos while Olaribigbe Hakeem who narrowly missed a podium finish at the 2023 MGI Grand Slam played 11 bingos.
Young and talented John Aiyedun, experienced Ayo Akinfemisoye and never say it’s over Femi Simpson as well as Femi-Ade Wahab and Omijeh Osaghaede were on hand and fully charged to light up their pathway to the finals at Sarank Hotel, Egbin, Ikorodu, Lagos State venue of the South West Play-Off.
Ikorodu SC with 3 wins in group C was too strong for big guns from Lekki SC and debutants Alausa SC.
The one affectionately called Dynamite, Khaleel Adedeji who last year helped stir D’Warriors to win the second division of the MGI League, captained Ikorodu SC to land in the finals.
Winner of the inaugural Lekki Scrabble Classics, Victor Ewarah, the 2022 South West Closed Champion, Adeyemi Adeosun, Michael Ogbonna, Julius Adeyemi, Aiyewunmi Adeyinka and the most improved scrabble amazon 2023, Priscilla Akhabue are part of Ikorodu SC.
Surulere SC sneaked into the NSF Inter Club Championship finals as winners of the second chance Play off.
They edged out Ibadan SC and Lekki Scrabble Club with three wins and a plus 450 cumulative points.
Kaduna Central Scrabble Club were the first team to pick their ticket to the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship after brushing aside South Side Scrabble Club to pick the Northwest slot last month.
They secured their passage into the much awaited finals with the help of Sadiq Abubakar, Baba Adamu, Suraj Aminu, Orkuma Gideon, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir and Attahiru Abdullahi at the expense of South Side also of Kaduna after a titanic battle at the Jollywood Gardens, Sabon Tasha two weekends ago.
Apex Scrabble Club of Abuja, that parades NSF’s Technical Director, John Curtis, his brother, Peter Ebomah, young and talented National Sports Festival gold medalist, Jimoh Abdulmumin, who is part of Team Nigeria to the African Games, 2023 winner of the MGI Pratons Cup, Anthony Odok, qualified for the Inter Club Championship finals from the North Central Zonal Play-Off.
Jos SC fondly called Rock Solid Jammers, also booked their place in the National finals next month by beating Central Scrabble Club Abuja A, B and C teams. Winning 11 rounds, 54 games and a cumulative of plus 1211 points.
A member of Team Nigeria to the last West African Scrabble Championship (WASC), Negro Igbinadolor was the arrow head of the Rock Solid Jammers, accounting for 27.7 percentage games won by Jos SC with 15 on the buns.
Alhassan Shaibu was two wins shy of Negro Igbinadolor who was firing from all cylinders, Henry Nwosu and Benjamin Isa garnered 9 wins each while Tunde Ayeni ended Zonal Play-Off with just 8 wins and a minus 425 points.
Anambra Scrabble Club, the sole entrance from the South East are also through to the national finals.
South South is the only Zone yet to decide it’s Play-Off.
The head coach of the national team, Prince Anthony Ikolo told news men at the weekend that the South South Play-Off will be played after the African Games holding in Ghana.
Port Harcourt SC, Shell Scrabble Club, Yenagoa SC, Sapele SC, Benin City A and B teams and Warri Scrabble Club are the teams that will compete for the three slots from the Zone.
Warri Scrabble Club that parades famous wordsmith, Emmanuel Umujose, winner of the PANASA President’s Cup, Godwin Victor, Daystar Atti, Jacob Tone, Etuwa Larry, Akpojotor Ochuko and Peremor Ekpesaba are the defending champions of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
Teams that are through to the finals are:
✓ JOS SC
✓ APEX SC
✓ ANAMBRA SC
✓ ABEOKUTA SC as host city club
✓ KADUNA CENTRAL SC
✓ SURULERE SC
✓ IKORODUN 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.
The competition is one of four events lined up for this year’s NSF Scrabble Festival. -
Two more teams have secured their passage into the grand finale of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation Inter Club Championship scheduled to hold in Abeokuta the Ogun State capital next month.
The two teams, Apex Scrabble Club Abuja and Jos SC punched their tickets into the finals from the North Central Zonal Play-Off concluded over the weekend at the Zalika Garden, Abuja after two days of 20 grueling rounds of games with five clubs in attendance.
Apex that parade multiple National Sports Festival gold medalist Jimoh Abdulmumin, 2023 winner of the MGI Pratons Cup, Anthony Odok, Oyebola and the Ebomah brothers Peter and John Curtis were just too hot to handle.
They won all their four matches against Central Scrabble Club Abuja’s A, B and C teams as well as Jos SC, winning combined 16 rounds, 67 games with a plus 4160 cumulative points.
Abdulmumin and Odok, fresh from the African Games camp made light work of the 25 man field.
Both players recorded 14 wins each just like Peter Ebomah.
John Curtis picked 13 wins from 20 rounds of games while Oyebola Alli the weakest link in the team, secured 12 victories to give Apex Scrabble Club the top spot.
Jos SC fondly called Rock Solid Jammers, booked their place in the National finals next month by beating Central Scrabble Club Abuja A, B and C teams, winning 11 rounds, 54 games and a cumulative of plus 1211 points.
A member of Team Nigeria to the last West African Scrabble Championship (WASC), Negro Igbinadolor was the arrow head of the Jammers, accounting for 27.7 percent of games won by Jos SC with 15 on the buns.
Alhassan Shaibu was two wins shy of Negro Igbinadolor who was firing from all cylinders.
Henry Nwosu and Benjamin Isa garnered 9 wins each while Tunde Ayeni ended the Zonal Play-Off with just 8 wins and a minus 425 points.
It’s noteworthy to state that, Team A of Central Scrabble Club Abuja, that has in it’s arsenal the imperial and rejuvenated Olobatoke Aka; rough and rugged rider, Eugene Okim; Friday Ogbonyomi; Christopher Nnamani and Emeka Ekwenugo missed the mark during the Play-Off with just two matches won.
Despite the sterling performance and a high of 17 wins, plus 1347 cumulative points of Olobatoke Aka, Team A Central Scrabble Club Abuja fell flat to Apex Scrabble Club and Jos SC while they over ran Team B and C of Central Club.
Two matches won with a combined cumulative of plus 2011 points over 14 rounds went in the favour Of Team A Central Scrabble Club Abuja with 57 percent game winning ratio.
Team B of the Abuja side recorded one win, 6 rounds, 40 games won while Team C was first from the rear without a victory to it’s name after 3 rounds with 32 games won and a minus 4688 cumulative points.
Kaduna Central Scrabble Club were the first team to pick their ticket to the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship after brushing aside South Side Scrabble Club to pick the Northwest slot last month.
They secured their passage into the much awaited finals with the help of Sadiq Abubakar, Baba Adamu, Suraj Aminu, Orkuma Gideon, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir and Attahiru Abdullahi at the expense of their opponents at the weekend after a titanic battle at the Jollywood Gardens, Sabon Tasha.
Despite the efforts of Danjuma Idris, Donatus Idogbe, Adeka Akochi, Odunayo Wellington, Bathlomew Okafor, Jonathan Sani and Neino Jonathan the South Side failed to click.
Elsewhere, Anambra Scrabble Club, sole entrants from the South East are also through to the national finals.
South West and South South are the two Zones yet to decide their Play-Offs.
For your information, Warri Scrabble Club that parades the like of famous wordsmith, Emmanuel Umujose, winner of the PANASA President’s Cup Godwin Victor, Daystar Atti, Jacob Tone, Etuwa Larry, Akpojotor Ochuko and Peremor Ekpesaba are the defending champions of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
The technical director of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, John Curtis, said that 13 clubs from over 13 states of the Federation and Nigeria Police are participating in this year’s event.
The states:
★ Lagos with eight clubs.
★ Ogun
★ Oyo
★ Ekiti
★ Edo with two clubs
★ Delta with three different clubs
★ Bayelsa
★ Plateau
★ Kaduna with two clubs sides
★ Rivers with two teams
★ Ondo
★ Anambra
★ Federal Capital Territory and four clubs
Notable Scrabble Clubs competing in this year’s edition of the NSF Inter Club Championship are led by dreaded Team UNILAG, captained by current African Scrabble champion Enoch Nwali.
Recently crowned West African Scrabble King, Oluwatimilehin Doko is another heavy weight in the team.
The winner of the second edition of Scrabble in the Jungle, Musa Lateef, African U-19 champion and runner up of Scrabble in the Jungle, David Ojih, Kareem Jamiu, Babajide Alagbada and Grace Jompe completes the UNILAG SC crack squad .
Other clubs:
★ APEX SC
★ YENAGOA SC
★ EGBIN SC
★ IKORODUN SC
★ NIGERIA POLICE SC
★ SUNSHINE SC
★ BENIN SC team A and B
★ PYRAMID SC
★ SAPELE SC
★ SURULERE SC
★ IBADAN SC
★ JOS SC
★ SHELL SC
★ LEKKI SC
★ SOUTH SIDE SC
★ KADUNA CENTRAL SC
★ BSP SC
★ ASABA SC
★ CSCA SC team A, B and C
★ ANAMBRA SC
★ PORT HARCOURT SC
★ ALAUSA SC
★ WARRI SC
★ ABEOKUTA SC
Teams that are through to the finals are:
✓ JOS SC
✓ APEX SC
✓ ANAMBRA SC
✓ ABEOKUTA SC as host city club
✓ KADUNA CENTRAL SC
The Inter Club Championship is one of the four events lined up for this year’s NSF Scrabble Festival.
The others are Asaph Zadok National Championship, Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Awards/Gala Night.
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. -
The Scrabble event of the 13th African Games scheduled to hold in three Ghanaian cities, Accra Cape Coast and Kumasi from the 8th to 23rd of March 2024 has been moved from Hillview Guest Center to Alisa Hotel Accra.
This piece of information was made public by the President of Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, in a chat with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG.
“The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) hereby announces that the African Games Scrabble event will now take place at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, Accra, Ghana. The championship is scheduled to be held between March 15th – 17th, 2024. The country disciplines and side events will both take place at the Alisa Hotel,” Adegbesan announced.
He also stated that the change in venue will not affect any previous plan for the scrabble event and all the participants.
“We are pleased to inform you that the Alisa Hotel offers upgraded facilities and amenities compared to the initial venue. We believe this change will enhance the overall experience for all participants and guests.” The PANASA President said.
Alisa Hotel – North Ridge has continually enhanced its services and facilities and is now proud to offer a total of 264 guest rooms and 14 conference rooms in addition to a fully equipped gymnasium, tennis court, swimming pool and salon spa.
The Scrabble event as well as the African Games Open, a side event during the Games will hold simultaneously between the 15th and 17th of March.
“We want to assure all teams and players who had previously reached out to PANASA regarding accommodation arrangements that their requests are being addressed. The price for accommodation will remain unchanged, and we are finalizing arrangements to ensure your comfort during your stay.”
About 150 players and officials from 12 countries are expected to compete in the main Scrabble event of the Games and the African Games Open the side event.
Over 2,500 dollars have been set aside as prize money for the African Games Open with registration pegged at 50 dollars per player.
A host of scrabble lions, tigers and bulls across the continent have entered for the side event.