FIRST SOUTHEAST SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF IN IN UMUAHIA
The first Southeast Scrabble Championship has officially commenced in Umuahia, with top players from across the Southeast converging for the competition aimed at sharpening skills ahead of upcoming national events.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba commended the participants for their focus and determination in the games.
The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Jane Igwe encouraged participants to see the competition as more than just a contest.
“The players are focused and determined to win. Scrabble is a mind game, and I’m impressed by their level of thinking.
"It’s not only about winning. It’s also an opportunity to build friendships, connect with others," Sir Ananaba stated.
Also speaking, the Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, welcomed athletes and highlighted the state’s growing reputation as a centre for sporting activities.
He noted that the state has hosted several major competitions in recent months, including regional and national events across different sports.
“In January, we hosted the Southeast Shooting Championship. In March, we hosted the Southeast Dart Championship and the National Under-12 and Under-15 Handball Championship.
"Now in April, we are hosting scrabble, and in the coming months, we will also host boxing and para-powerlifting,” Comrade George stated.
He noted that hosting these competitions has enabled the state to discover and nurture young talents who are already excelling at higher levels.
“All these events are giving us an advantage. The talents we have discovered are being trained, and they are already making the state proud,” George said.
Comrade George, who further thanked the Governor for his support, noted that the Governor’s support is driving the development of young people through sports.
He commended the contributions of young people and the media in advancing sports development within the state.
"We thank the youths for their interest in sports and the media for helping to showcase our activities to the world,” he noted.
The Vice President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Lovejoy Ezinna, praised the government for supporting the development of scrabble, particularly among young players.
“The government’s support has made a big difference. We started training young players, and they have already made an impact by winning gold medals at national events,” he said.
He described scrabble as a tool for intellectual growth and family bonding.
“Scrabble is a mind game that builds intelligence. If families make it a habit, it will help children grow mentally and strengthen family relationships,” he said.
He further revealed plans to expand training programmes and introduce an online platform, " Scrabble School," to connect and train people interested in learning the game.
"We want to make Scrabble accessible to everyone, through structured programmes, and coaching, more people can get involved and benefit from the game," he added.
On his own, the Abia State Head Coach for Scrabble, Mr. Azu Neighbor expressed confidence that the event would meet expectations, noting the high level of talent on display.
“What we are seeing here are some of the best players in the Southeast. If you go around, you’ll notice the kind of words they are forming.
"This competition will help prepare them for the national tournament coming up soon,” he said.
He added that the state has recorded steady progress in scrabble development, especially with increased support from the government.
“We have been improving over time. Since the introduction of the secondary school games, we have discovered raw talents and taken them to national youth competitions,” he stated.
He highlighted the recent achievements, noting that the state has consistently returned from competitions with medals and noted that, in recent tournaments, they have won gold and silver medals, and this year alone, they came back with seven silver medals.
More photos below.
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