Nigeria is ready to host the second edition of West Africa Scrabble Championship – NSF boss, Toke Aka

The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Engineer, Chief Toke Aka, says they are ready to host a befitting second edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC) later this year.

Aka told your authoritative Scrabble News Channel that (NSF) is working hand in hand with the Scrabble Associations of Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone for a hitch free event.

Seventy five wordsmith from five countries are expected to compete for honours at the championship which was last won by Eta Karo in the individual category and Team Nigeria in the team event.

We understand that Abuja is likely to host the competition scheduled to hold in the month of November and the Nigeria Scrabble Federation has set in motion plans for a memorable Championship.

The federal capital city may have got the nod to host the regional tournament because of its strategic importance, location, excellent hotel facilities, strong government presence and sporting culture.

The 28 rounds of games competition is open for sponsorship and Chukwudi Ehibudu, who heads the marketing drive of NSF says, about fifty million naira will be needed to stage the event.

We gathered that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Championship will be announced by the President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Engineer Toke Aka, who is the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) early next month.

Engineer Toke Aka, explained that, the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC), is one of the major events in the calendar of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF).

At the first edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship in Accra the Ghanaian capital, Nigeria’s Eta Karo, took the top prize with 21 wins from 28 games and a cumulative of plus 1,357 points.

Enoch Nwali, another Nigerian came second with 19 wins and a cumulative of plus 1,190 points ahead of Wellington Jighere a former World and two time African Champion who recorded 18 wins and a cumulative of plus 1,020.

Nine Nigerians were among the top ten at the close of the Championship.

The New Kid on block Doko Oluwatimilehin now a 400 level pharmacy student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) who made his first major outing for the national team came an impressive fifth in 40 man strong field.

The best Ghanaian player at the competition Charles Tachie-Menson came tenth with 15 wins and draw with plus 611 cumulative and a year later he went ahead to have an impressive run at the WESPA Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA where he finished among the top ten players at number 8.

The team event crown went to Team Nigeria while Sierra Leone came second ahead of The Gambia and host Ghana.

This was the top ten table after three days of gruelling jamming sessions that was laced with upsets in each of the 28 rounds.

1. Eta Karo

21 wins and +1,357 pts

2. Enoch Nwali

19 wins and +1,190 pts

3. Wellington Jighere

18 wins and +1020 pts

4. Nsikak Etim

18 wins and +930 pts

5. Doko Oluwatimilehin

17 wins and +837 pts

6. Ehibudu Chukwudi

17 wins and +411 pts

7. Olatunde Oduwole

17 wins and +317 pts

8. George Ezinore

16 wins and +507 pts

9. Emmanuel Ofidi

16 wins and +236 pts

10. Charles Tachie-Menson

15½ and +611 pts

Due to lack of funds Nigeria’s team to Ghana travelled by road. Team Nigeria standing.

Eta Paul Karo (1)

Enoch Tochukwu Nwali (2)

Wellington Jighere (3)

Nsikakabasi Solomon Etim (4)

Doko Oluwatimilehin (5)

Chukwudi Ehibudu (6)

Olatunde Oduwole (7)

George Ezinore (8)

Emmanuel Ofidi (9)

Emmanuel Umujose (11)

Dipo Akanbi (12)

John Curtis (13)

Oshevire Avwenagha (14)

Jack Mpakaboari (22)

Daystar Atti (25)