The transit town of Ewu in Esan Central, Edo State witnessed arguably its first taste of scrabble competition.
The sleepy town was awaken by the sound coming from the shaking of the tile bag as champions across different tournaments met at the meet for a-10 round of games.
The only African to win a world title Wellington Jighere created the appropriate backdrop for the rich-cast of current winners from the continental to the national level in attendance.
2023 Pan-African Scrabble Association (PANASA) Youth Champion David Ojih, Division A champion of Mindgames Premier League with Hurricanes Jimoh Abdulmumeen, captain of D’Warriors who won the Division B Khaleel Adedeji and King of Scrabble In The Jungle Musa Lateef added colour to the atmosphere.
Not forgetting Emmanuel Enyi who did a back-to-back Opens category win at the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST.)
This array of scrabble stars with 14 other players gathered in a serene but symbolic arena for the historic engagements on the board of words and numbers.
Among those who sat in the hall was Emmanuel Egbele, Nigeria Scrabble Federation’s South-west coordinator on whose honour these contestants converged.
The occasion was infused with the burial ceremony of his father Elder Godwin Egbele who was committed to earth a day earlier.
At the end of 10 rounds of games, Kogi State’s Abdulmumeen who changed the course of the tournament from the control of Tunde Saporu in round 8, would win the Meet with 8 wins and 2 losses with +699 cumulative points.
Saporu from Ogun State would finish with same record of 8 wins but his lower cumulative +585 pushed him to the second position while Jighere picked the third spot.
Joy Ola from Plateau State was awarded with the Best Female title.
At the brief closing ceremony, all players were presented with prizes.
Fulfilled by what he saw, Egbele showered appreciation on every participants.
“To say that I’m impressed is an understatement. Your presence here in Ewu town has put some smile on my face especially at this time when we lost my father. I’m glad that the scrabble family has once again identified with our family at this point. We are very grateful for showing us love at this time.”
The convener of the EEAST and the South-west Closed tournaments acknowledged them for adding colour, quality and panache to the ceremony and by extension, Ewu town.
