The excitement of a champion was radiating on the face of Gerald Ekhagbai who won a gold medal for Lagos State in the Scrabble event at the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State, north-central Nigeria on Thursday.
Ekhagbai, who will be resuming in SS3 class at Queensland Schools, Okota, Isolo, Lagos said that after he was declared the winner of the final match of the boys singles that the dream of winning the gold medal at a time hunted him as he was under pressure to deliver on his ambition.
“The road to this victory was so tough because I played on Table 1 from Round 2 to 8. Table 1 has always been a platform for the best. Each match got harder.
In the first match, I scored 280, in the second, I scored 180, the third I scored 180 and in the final match, I scored 54 against my Edo State opponent. You can see how I was dropping. I thank God that eventually, I achieved my desire. I am satisfied and fulfilled,” said Ekhagbai who has been playing since he was in the primary school at Queensland.
What was the magic of his success at the NYG, Ekhagbai noted that the secret lies in the instruction of his coach that he should practise more on four letters?
“I read four letters more than anything. My coach told me that people play more in short words than long words. He told me that if I concentrated more on four letters my opponents will be challenged. I also read three letters like twice.
“Also my preparation before the competition helped me a lot. I played at the OSFI tournament in Lagos last month, and the experience I got at this competition helped me at the Games here in Ilorin,” he said.
He said that after the Games, he would continue to practice as he eyes another outing at the OSFI in a different category.
“I played the OSFI in 11-14 category, but next year, I want to move up to 15-19 category. Also, I look forward to playing in my last National Youth Games next year.”
Ekhagbai is a boy full of ambition. He said he dreamt of becoming a world champion someday.
“My target is to win the World Youth Championship next year and from there I will be aiming for the championship at the senior level,” he said.
He thanked the management of Lagos State Sports Commission for giving him the opportunity to compete at the national competition after he was discovered at OSFI tournament.
