Scrabble will get better deals in 2025 , says NSF boss Toke Aka
The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka, says we have lots of reasons to celebrate the new year.
Aka made this submission on Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 while offering insights into the progress made by scrabble and the challenges faced along with plans for 2025.
“We thank God for a wonderful festive season and for the growth of the mind game this year. We are committed to continuing this development in the coming years.” Toke Aka stated.
He, acknowledged that there were challenges in 2024, but these are been addressed, with others still in progress.
“We are grateful to God for the successes recorded during the African Scrabble Championship in Kigali, Rwanda,” NSF President said.
At the African Scrabble Championship, Team Nigeria took the top honours in all the categories including the Side-Event and the NSF was able to activate all it’s programmes for 2024.
It’s noteworthy to mention that for the first time in history, Nigeria represented by Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu and Sufyan Boluwatife Olojoku took part in the World Youth Scrabble Championship, in Sri Lanka. Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu finished among the top 25 in a field of over 130 participants with Sufyan Boluwatife Olojoku among the top 30.
This feat was made possible with the support of the Kwara State Government who funded the trip after the Sports Ministry led by Senator John Enoh, refused to support the Federation.
He also urged scrabble players and other sportsmen and women including officials to avoid behaviors that could drive away sponsors and friends of scrabble from adding value to it, stressing the importance of upholding values that support peace and unity in the Sporting Community.
2025 is loaded with six major competitions which Team Nigeria has the obligation to attend. They are; World Youth Scrabble Championship in Australia, African Youth Scrabble Championship in Nairobi, Kenya and PANASA President Cup.
Others are; West African Scrabble Championship , MGI World Team Championship, in Accra, Ghana and World English Scrabble Players Association Championship, in Accra, Ghana
On the home front, the NSF will continue to expand the reach of scrabble through the initiative tagged ‘TAKE SCRABBLE TO SCHOOLS’ and also encourage more female participation in the sport.
The Local events lined up for 2025 are:
Scrabble Festival , South South Closed, National Sports Festival, World and Wits Best of Best and Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament.
Others are; 5th Douye Diri National Open , All Nigeria Amazons Championship and National Youth Games South South National Open
Newstap.com.ng gathered that more competitions are likely to be added to the above domestic list.
The NSF boss further explained that the Federation will work hand in hand with the National Sports Commission (NSC), in order to deliver on its mandate.
“We will continue to seek for support from the corporate bodies as well as well meaning individuals with passion for scrabble.”
