A fresh feat was created in the Inter-Club category of the National Scrabble Festival as freshly-formed Gateway Club of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on Thursday defeated Yenagoa Scrabble Club in the final to claim the title in Benin, Edo State.
The 7-man team guided by former national captain who led Nigeria to a historic 2015 WESPAC title Cyril Umebiye blitz past the Bayelsa State based-side 4-1 in the final.
Current continental champion Oluwatimilehin Doko earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after the club chaired by Adekoyejo Adegbesan dominated their opponents from the South-South in Round 4 after leading 3-1 to confirmed their new status even with a round to spare in the best of 5 final match.
They had earlier dispatched the defending champion Pyramid SC of Lagos in the preliminary; an indication of clear intent at holding no-prisoners.
The youthful and vibrant team wasted no time as they raced ahead in the first two rounds with a similar score of 4-1 before dropping the third round to their rivals 3-2.
They ensured the title goes to Ogun State in the fourth round with a resounding 5-0 win just as they finished in style with same result in round five.
It’s was a double celebration of some sort as team member Abdulmumin Jimoh was serenaded as he marked his birthday.
Other members of the team are: David Ojih, Tunde Saporu, Hakeem Ogundokun and Musa Lateef.
The victory will be the second by teams from Ogun State after the State’s team won the State category of the Scrabble Festival on Sunday.
After receiving the title from Edo State Sports Association chairman Walter
Imoedemhe who represented the Sports Commission chairman Desmond Enabulele, Umebiye dedicated the victory to their chairman Adegbesan for providing all necessary support which ensured they remained focused on their objective.
“The chairman, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, ensure that financially the team is well taking care of, feeding, accommodation, travels and other needed logistics are provided for so that we can focus on our main mission of playing the game we love and cherish.”
While commending the team for their success which has made the people of Ogun State proud, Adegbesan in a chat with the Media Officer Tayo Ogunseye revealed the reason the vibrant club was created.
“Gateway Scrabble Club was formed after the National Championship last year in Ijebu Ode when our teams did not perform well. The Commissioner of Sports Hon. Wasiu Isiaka charged us to build a more formidable club that would compete with the best clubs in the country. That is how we birthed the club. With Abeokuta already having a Scrabble club, we set up Gateway Scrabble Club with base at Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu Ode.” He concluded.
The impressive outing at the festival has once again placed the State as a top contender for top medals at the forthcoming National Sports Festival which begins in May.
