Nigeria’s South-Western region is set witness it’s first major scrabble championship with the coming of a closed event slated for this month in the city of Ibadan, Oyo state.
The South-West Closed championships became a child of necessity as the leadership of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation in the Zone decided to create more competitions for scrabblers as a way of setting them up for national and international tournaments.
Players will compete in the Masters, Intermediate and Open categories for ratings, prestige and honour with plenty cash prizes also on offer.
An excited Emmanuel Egbele, the NSF South-West Coordinator who disclosed the details of the maiden tournament to the media underlined the importance of introducing the South-West Closed championships to players based in Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos states.
“The purpose” according to him “is to create some excitement among our players and as a family and prepare some of them participating in other national and international events the opportunity for some competitive game time.”
Top players like former World No.5 Enoch Nwali, former African champion Femi Awowade and Dokun Esan who won the EEAST are expected to light up Jogor Hall, Ibadan when the mindgame takes centre stage on April 30.
The announcement has been generating some buzz and excitement among the players who are eager to hunt for prizes as well as ranking points.
“Registration is ongoing now, and we are expecting top players in the South-West. We have Dokun Esan the reigning EEAST Champion, Hakeem Olaribigbe, MGi Patrons Cup Champ. We also have Femi Awowade coming in to be part of the Tournaments. Former World No. 5 and NUGA Scrabble MVP, Enoch Nwali is going to be there”, he confirmed
