The Nigeria Scrabble national team has won the 2019 World English Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) title in Goa, India.
The World English Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) featured 30 countries and 145 players. Nigeria, represented by 11 players and officials retained the WESPAC Country Trophy after achieving the feat in 2015.
The four-day event also saw two Nigerians in fifth and 10th positions in the over all individual ranking at the championship, just as the other Nigerian players were ranked among the top 30 spot.
The event, which also featured another scrabble tournament tagged Indian International Scrabble Open Tournament, also put Nigeria in the world map, as national coach, Prince Anthony Ikolo won the title in a grand style.
Speaking after the championship, Coach Ikolo congratulated the team for their achievements at the event.
In his words:
“This feat has put Nigeria in the world map again as the best scrabble-playing nation in the world. The achievement was based on the commitment of the players and officials.
We thank Nigerians and everybody who made the trip possible. It was tough but we succeeded… beating top countries in the world was not easy.”
Nigeria Scrabble Federation President, Suleiman Gora said the victory was another milestone achievement for the country.
“My special congratulations to all members of the Nigerian Scrabble team in India. I am very proud of your performances and you should also be proud of yourselves.
It was not easy for us getting there and playing to this level with little resources. Ojior, Gbenga, Jack and Mbagwu God bless you all. Toke and Ikolo and the entire team thanks and congratulations. Wish you all journey mercy back home. We are proud of the team.”
