By Tayo Ogunseye
Scrabble, the cerebral game that has enticed many with its word-and-number attribute has marked a milestone as it was streamed live, the first-ever at the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged ”Gateway Games 2024″ to a global audience.
Since the first word was made at the 2004 edition in Abuja, the game has kept its progress but lacked a live-flow beyond the audience outside the borders.
21 years after, a threshold was crossed as 24 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja assembled at the Multi-purpose hall of the Remo Stars Sports Complex for what has been termed the biggest Olympics in Africa to joust for honour, medals and expected cash rewards across 12 categories.
Host Association, Ogun State Scrabble led by Adekoyejo Adegbesan who also wears a dual hat as the continent’s president at the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) with Olobatoke Aka Nigeria Federation President under the Local Organising Committee (LOC) knew the significant role scrabble would play in satisfying thousands of interest who clings to their screens as a portal to witness the spectacles from the quiet town of Ikenne, one of the five host centres for the Games.
And the first play was made by current African champion Oluwatimilehin Doko on Table 1, a move followed by thousands of eyeballs who followed virtually.
This significant singular stroke has earned raving reactions as the National Sports Festival has been catapulted to a new high level.
” We as the host have pulled no stops in giving a great experience and feel to the National Sports Festival.” revealed as excited Adegbesan. “We are happy that this step has been taken for the development of scrabble at this multi-sports event. Scrabble lovers and enthusiast have followed the game both nationally and internationally. You can see how people even here have stayed glued to their devices, following keenly every action on Table.”
“Scrabble is growing and we as the hosts are glad to be able to create and add this experience to the 2024 Gateway Games.”
The experience will no doubt boost the profile and depth of the Games as 186 players from 24 states compete at the serene arena from May 23 to 27
