Akure, the capital of Ondo State, will host the third edition of the South-West Scrabble Opens Tournament, organized by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), from October 18 to 19, 2024.
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This event, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Sports Hall, promises to attract top players and emerging talents from across the region.
The tournament, which is open to all participants for the first time, features a $500 top prize, marking a significant step in elevating the competition’s prestige. This prize, coupled with additional rewards for top performers, has sparked interest from players both within Nigeria and across Africa.
Emmanuel Egbele, South-West representative on the NSF board and tournament coordinator, expressed excitement about Akure hosting the event. “After hosting in Ogun and Oyo States, it’s time to bring the tournament to Akure. This not only gives players in Ondo a sense of belonging but also makes the game more accessible to students and new players in the region.”
Egbele also highlighted the significance of opening the competition to all players. “The previous editions were closed, but this time, we’re welcoming participants from other zones and giving those heading to the African Scrabble Championship in Kigali a platform for preparation.”
With around 120 players expected, the event will serve as a warm-up for the African Scrabble Championship set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 23 to 27. Top competitors, including reigning African Champion Enoch Nwali, Timilehin Doko, John Ayedun, and others, are expected to use the South-West Opens as a rehearsal for the Kigali showdown.
In previous editions, Cyril Umebiye won the 2023 tournament in Ogun State, while Adeyemi Adeosun took the inaugural title in 2022 in Oyo State.
