Akure, the capital of Ondo State will open it’s doors to the third instalment of the South-West Opens Tournament of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation slated for October 18 to 19 this year.
The South-West Tournament which will nestle in the historic city has been a remarkable rendezvous for players in the zone especially budding talents searching for avenue for expression.
More importantly, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has decided to throw the tournament open for all-comers as it’s contribution to spread as well as deepen the growth of scrabble in Nigeria diagonally, horizontally and vertically.
Excitingly, a top prize-money of five hundred US dollar ($500) has been placed at the top of the pole for the eventual winner for the first time ever with other prizes on offer.
Many observers believed this mark-up by the organisers of the South-West tournament has lifted it’s status by giving it an international clout capable of attracting jammers even from Africa.
Emmanuel Egbele, the South-West representative on the NSF board who also coordinates the zone said the achievements recorded in the past two editions hosted in Oyo and Ogun States pointed at the need to raise the notch higher.
He also revealed that the choice of the ‘Oyemekun City’ and Ondo state by extension, was informed by the desire to give a sense of belonging to players in the region as well as taking the game of scrabble closer to the base of new players whose interest has been limited by travelling demands especially students of tertiary institutions.
“We are excited that Akure, the capital of Ondo State will be venue of the third edition of the South-West Scrabble Tournament. Remember,” he recalled, “that the last two editions were hosted in Ogun and Oyo States so now, we believe the carousel this time should stop in Akure, the Ondo State capital.”
He thanked the Ondo State Scrabble Association for it’s collaboration with the South-West Zone team as preparations for the first Opens edition which bears a dollar prize-money continues.
“I will like to thank the Scrabble family immensely for agreeing to partner with us as we push the development of our sport; scrabble to a higher level.”
“Having run the last two editions as closed which was only open to players resident in the South-West, we thought it wise to expand the scope at this third edition of the South -West Scrabble Tournament by making it an all-inclusive one for the benefit of other players from other zones and also, give those who are heading to Kigali as representatives of Nigeria to find it as a preparatory platform for the African Championship.” Egbele stated.
About 120 players are expected to register for the tournament which comes up on the eve of the 2024 African Scrabble Championship.
The ASC; Africa’s premier scrabble tournament will take place in Kigali, Rwanda from 23 to 27 of this month.
Top players including African Champion Enoch Nwali (CC), Timilehin Doko, John Ayedun (GM), Adebisi Adekansi and a host of others are expected to seize the opportunity provided by the two-day tournament as a rehearsal for the battle in Kigali.
It would be recalled that former national captain Cyril Umebiye claimed the last edition in Abeokuta last year in Ogun State while Adeyemi Adeosun won the inaugural edition held in Ibadan, Oyo State in 2022.
