Stephen Dunmoye
The winner of the maiden edition of Engineer Toke Aka Jubilee National Scrabble Championship, Nsikak Etim has said that Team Nigeria will rule the world again at the WESPA Championship, next month in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Etim, said this shortly after dominating the 32 man field in the Masters category at the jubilee Championship at the weekend in Abuja.
According to Etim in a statement, “We have a very strong team made up of young talented and experienced scrabble players that have the mental, physical and psychological strength to cope with the world championship task.”
Etim further stated that most members of Team Nigeria are used to tough competitions and their preparation is another key factor.
Nsikak Etim, Enoch Tochukwu Nwali, Oluwatimilehin Doko, Wellington Jighere, Oghenekaro Paul Eta, Oshevire Avwenagha, Prince Osahon Omosefe are the members of the Super Scrabble Eagles of Nigeria. The others are Dipo Akanbi, Olatunde Oduwole, Femi Fashina, Bright Idahosa, Dennis Ikekeregor and Tuoyo Mayuku.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that Etim won 10 out of 12 games with a plus 753 cumulative points at the Engineer Toke Aka Jubilee National Scrabble Championship to take the top honours at the expense of Emmanuel Umojose with 9 wins with 906 cumulative points.
Godwin Victor came third with 9 wins just like Emmanuel Umojose but with a lesser cumulative points of plus 392 points. The one fondly called the Malaysian Prince, Oghenekaro Paul Eta was 4th and Wellington Jighere 5th.
Multiple National Sports Festival gold medalist Akpos Best Malafakumo was the best female player in the expanded Masters event. She finished in the 8th position with seven wins and a draw with cumulative points of plus 193 ahead of Oshevire Avwenagha.
That best showing by an Intermediate player also fetched Akpos Best Malafakumo a full sponsorship by the President of Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) Adekoyejo Adegbesan, to the inaugural PANASA’s President’s Cup in Lagos come August.
The Bayelsa State born scrabble Amazon is now back in the Masters category after picking up 59 NSF rating points. She started the Engineer Toke Aka Jubilee National Scrabble Championship on 1386 points and with plus 59 points secured in Abuja her is now with 1445 points.
