By Tayo Ogunseye
Defending champion and scrabble Grand Master (GM) John Ayedun will be the cynosure of all when the Nigeria Scrabble Federation South -West Closed Tournament begins this Saturday in the ancestral town of Ile Ife, Osun state.
The tournament is restricted to players who are residents, club members or students in the South -West zone of the country.
They will deploy their tactics at claiming the first significant title on offer in the country.
Ayedun claimed the title at the last edition in Akure, the Ondo state capital after surviving a field filled with African champion Oluwatimilehin Doko and high-flying Abdulmumin Jimoh.
2023 winner and former national captain Cyril Umebiye will be leading a strong contingent from Ogun state for a show of strength having dominated the last Sports Festival.
Among it’s ranks are the female duo of Adebisi Adekansi and Bukunmi Afolayan whose rich experience could earn either the best female title in that category.
50 players who successful registered for the championship scheduled for the Esses Event Centre Olopomeji have already arrived in town for the scrabble showdown which is expected to end on Sunday.
Other players from Lagos, Oyo, Osun and Ondo have also shown intent of causing upset in a sport widely known for it’s fickleness.
South-West Coordinator Engr Dipo Akanbi who was excited at the quality of players on the roster assured all participants of a level playing field.
He emphasised on the huge significance the SWCST bears as it would help in shaping up the players for the busy calendar with the national and Africa Scrabble Championship holding later in the year.
A top cash-prize of 300,000 among other prizes have been placed on the table at the two -day event as the hunt begins in the ancient city.
