Scrabble Masters storm Benin big prize battle

All roads lead to the ancient city of Benin as an all star cast of scrabble players converge this weekend for the biggest ever prize competition in the history of the game in Nigeria.

Tagged Scrabble King (Champion of Champions) Tournament, it is an A-grade scrabble competition for masters and players who have distinguished themselves as champions in various national and international competitions.

Organised by Words and Wits Promotions and sanctioned by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, the event also provides a platform for children to compete and learn by the side of the masters.

Holding at Prestige Hotel, Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City from December 3 to 5, the event has been approved by the World English Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) and listed as one of the major global scrabble competitions to be followed across the globe.

With Nigeria renowned as the biggest scrabble playing nation in the world, having produced world champions and currently occupying multiple positions in the world Scrabble Top 10 Ranking, the organisers say their vision is to provide a high level scrabbling rivalry, gainful engagement, and ranking of Nigerian top players towards maintaining the nation’s international dominance and positioning Nigeria as a world scrabble tourism destination.

Interestingly, there is also a session for children to compete among themselves to grow in the game by learning besides the masters.

According to Bright Idahosa, Coordinator of South South Nigeria Scrabble and Vice President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, the overall champion will take home N500,000 while there will be ten other consolation prizes.

“This is just the beginning. Our target is to raise the winning prize to between N5m and N10m in subsequent editions.”