Organizers of All Amazon Scrabble Championship plan big for next edition
Organizers of the prestigious and historic all female scrabble competition, the All Nigeria Amazons Scrabble Championship have promised to make the next edition bigger and better.
This piece of cheering news about the Championship was made known to by the Vice President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer. Bright Idahosa over the weekend.
He explained that Words and Wits, a subsidiary of BlueStream Sports Agency that put together the maiden edition of the All Nigeria Amazons Scrabble Championship in conjunction with the Nigeria Scrabble Federation has already kick start the planning for 2025.
“We are delighted at the attraction that we got on the Amazons tournament; I must tell you that we didn’t expect it to be as big as that. That goes to show you that the women were craving for this,” Idahosa said.
The NSF Vice President stated that the number of female scrabble players in the country is growing very fast and stead. “It may surprise you to know that we have over 200 females, or let’s say more than 150 females who play. So be sure that in the future we’ll be having not less than hundred persons who will participate in the next edition.”
Idahosa noted that sponsors are already falling over each other to embrace the latest sporting bride in town; the All Nigeria Amazons Scrabble Championship.
“Sponsors are already coming in to indicate their interest. With the turnouts that we got on this one, we’re even the ones trying to control the number of persons we wanted because of the hall we’re using.
“As you can see, it was a massive turnout and going by the short-term time we had to plan, they still responded to this clarion call.”
Our correspondent understands that Benson Idahosa University (BIU), is one of the corporate bodies that will be associating with the All Nigeria Amazons Scrabble Championship in 2025 alongside, Vibes FM Radio Station Benin City to mention but a few.
The Edo State born scrabble player and administrator had some gracious words for all the 36 Amazons clocked in.
“I celebrate our women for their passion and dedication to the mind game. Women are important to our society and as such, we must always celebrate them. And Nigeria Scrabble Federation shows and gives high regards to women in particular.”
“For example, it is now slated in one of our bylaws that a woman must be included in any scrabble club in the NSF Inter Club Challenge competition and the state that plays for our yearly Scrabble Festival event. So, this is to tell you that we put women in the forefront of the things we do, trying to maintain gender equality,” Idahosa who is also a scrabble coach noted.
“Scrabble as a game is not gender bias. There’s no gender favoritism as seen because, you know, it’s an intellectual work. If a man can be intelligent, a woman is so much so, if not more so. We support them in order to align with the, the status of the world, in order to give them a sense of identity.”
Two notable women, the Director of Sports Benson Idahosa University, Mrs. Eunice Adebayo-James and the General Manager Vibes FM Radio Station Benin City, Mrs. Peace Ifidon graced the opening and closing ceremony of this year’s competition held at Oti Hotel Benin City, Edo State.
Idahosa, a member of Team Nigeria to the 2022 West African Scrabble Championship and the African Scrabble Championship in Lusaka, Zambia, is calling on well-meaning individuals and the corporate bodies to connect with female scrabble.
“We need to start inviting corporate brands into Scrabble to help us sponsor what we do here. We’re doing a great job in Scrabble. Nigeria, Africa and the world needs to see it. Corporate bodies need to see what we’re doing and give us a hand by assisting us towards moving the game to a higher pedestal
