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Showing posts with the label Africa

The Green Locusts' Performance in the WESPAC 2025 by Chinedu

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2025 World Scrabble Championship, Accra Ghana: Summary of the Nigerian Green Locusts' Performance over Days 1 to 5 (PART B: Explanation of the Performance) ...Timi Woko🇳🇬 in table 1 at game 11. The first game Timi dropped at the WESPAC in Ghana was with Nigel Richards. (By Chinedu 'Sidespin' Thorpe Nosike Okwelogu, National Scrabble Champion, former Nigerian Scrabble #1, and Retired Deputy Director (Planning, Research, and Strategy), National Orientation Agency) 1. First of all, it is appropriate to recognise and applaud Barrister Timi Woko of Bayelsa State for his very praiseworthy feat of winning the First 10 Rounds of the World Scrabble Championship! He showed very uncommon resilience reminiscent of the potentials shown by yet another lawyer, Barrister Biodun Olaleru SAN in 1997. Timi's feat is being looked into by way of determining whether it is a World Scrabble Record performance. To put Timi Woko's exploits in proper perspective, it will be helpful to look ...

Team Nigeria Crowned Best Scrabble Nation at the WESPAC 2025 in Accra

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Team Nigeria has once again affirmed its global dominance in competitive Scrabble by emerging as the Best Country at the World English-language Scrabble Players Championship (WESPAC) 2025, held in Accra, Ghana. Team Nigeria🇳🇬 winner WESPA Championship 2025 The Nigerian contingent delivered a commanding performance across all rounds, finishing with the highest cumulative wins, an impressive points spread, and a consistency level that placed the country far ahead of other competing nations. The triumph in Accra marks another milestone for Nigeria, reinforcing its reputation as the leading Scrabble nation in the world. Nigeria excelled across the board, with players demonstrating high-level skill, discipline, and mental resilience. Key contributors from the national team recorded strong individual finishes that helped solidify the country’s overall standing at the championship. The team’s cohesion, preparation, and experience played a critical role in their victory, especially in a year...

Adam Logan Crowned WESPAC 2025 World Champion after 20 years

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Adam Logan vs Nigel Richards Adam Logan has emerged as the 2025 WESPAC World Scrabble Champion, securing a decisive 4 - 2 victory over Nigel Richards in the finals of the World English-Language Scrabble Players Association Championship that took place in Ghana. The Canadian mathematician and veteran wordsmith delivered a consistent, high-precision performance throughout the tournament, showcasing exceptional rack-management, strategic discipline, and endgame mastery. His win adds another major title to his remarkable career, having previously claimed the World Scrabble Championship in 2005. WESPAC 2025 brought together the strongest players in the world like, Weibin Toh, Timi Doko, Awolabi Lukman (the WESPA Chair) , Waseem from Pakistan, Timi Woko, but Logan’s composure and tactical strength placed him firmly above the pack. His final matchup against the legendary Nigel Richards who is widely regarded as the greatest scrabble player of all time was a show of elite fight for the trophy,...

Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila Chess and Scrabble Grassroot Club Holds Monthly Training Session

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The Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila Chess and Scrabble Grassroot Club is set to host another edition of its Monthly Training Session on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Block 28, Iponri Housing Estate, Surulere, Lagos. The event is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM prompt. This initiative continues to provide young minds with a platform to develop critical thinking, strategy, and discipline through the games of Scrabble and Chess. The club remains committed to its vision of building future leaders by nurturing talent at the grassroots level. The program is powered by Hon. Hakeem Olabode Akamo, Ph.D., whose continuous support and mentorship have been instrumental in sustaining this impactful project. Participants are encouraged to be part of this engaging session. It promises to be another step toward empowering the next generation through intellectual sports.

The Secret Power of Board Control in Scrabble

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 In Scrabble, most players focus only on scoring high, but champions know that the real secret to winning consistently is board control and patterns.  Board control means shaping the game’s flow by deciding where words can be played, and what kind of plays your opponent is allowed to make. Every tile you place can open or close the board, and experts use this to limit opportunities while keeping scoring options for themselves. Board Patterns mean the ability to read the movement of the board and predict the scoring structure for possible big scorings.  Here’s how scrabble professionals secretly control the board: 1. They Close Dangerous Openings If a triple word score is exposed, a strong player doesn’t always go for points, they block it instead. That’s defensive Scrabble. 2. They Create Scoring Channels Experts build “lanes” where only they can score big often by playing parallel words that leave premium squares open for their next turn.  3. They Play with Tile Me...

Why Scrabble Deserves a Place in the World Olympics

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Written by: Ebimunu Akintola (A Sociologist and scrabble enthusiast) For decades, Scrabble has evolved far beyond a living-room pastime. Tye records are there. It is a mental sport that demands logic, vocabulary mastery, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking and these are all the hallmarks of Olympic-level competition. Yet despite its global reach and structured governance, Scrabble remains outside the Olympic Games.  The question now is:  why not include it? Well, let me take you through this my few facts: 1. Scrabble Promotes Global Unity Through Language Just like football or athletics, scrabble brings together players from every continent. Whether in Lagos, London, Ireland, New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, Las Vegas, India or Los Angeles, the game is played with the same board and the same rules. Its universality bridges linguistic and cultural gaps which are precisely the Olympic spirit of unity in diversity. Except otherwise. 2. True...

Scrabble Battle: Offense or Defense - Which Player Are You?

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Scrabble Battle: Offensive vs Defensive? Wellington Jigereh vs Enoch Nwali Discover your Scrabble play style if you are not aware already! Are you an offensive player who goes for bingos or a defensive player who locks the board?  Join the fun and share your strategy on Scrabblebiz. Every Scrabble player has a unique style of play. While some thrive on big, bold plays, others prefer tight, strategic defenses that keep their opponents guessing. Offensive players go for high scores, premium squares, and flashy seven-letter bingos. Defensive players focus on controlling the board, blocking bonuses, and playing smart setups. No matter your side, both strategies make Scrabble exciting and unpredictable! Let us Hear From You Are you an attacker who loves explosive word scores? Or a blocker who takes pride in shutting down openings? 👉 Share your favorite move that perfectly shows your scrabble style! #ScrabbleFun #ScrabbleTalk #ScrabbleStrategy #ScrabblePlayers #WordGameCommunity #Scrabb...

A New Era for Nigerian Scrabble: Building on a Legacy of Excellence

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The newly elected Nigerian Scrabble Federation President's official statement as he assumes office - Bright Idahosa  Over the years, Scrabble in Nigeria has evolved from a simple pastime into a celebrated sport that commands respect both nationally and internationally. This remarkable transformation did not happen overnight, it is the product of years of vision, dedication, and relentless effort from passionate individuals who have worked tirelessly to elevate the game we all love. Bright Idahosa NSF President  He further went on to appreciate the entire board:  At this moment, it is only fitting to recognize and appreciate everyone who has contributed to this inspiring journey: administrators, players, coaches, sponsors, and devoted enthusiasts. Your collective passion has built the strong foundation that today makes Nigeria a true powerhouse in the global Scrabble community. A special tribute goes to Engr. Toke Aka, the immediate past President of the Nigeria Scrabble F...

1st Edition Interclub Scrabble Match between Ekowe vs Peremabiri

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The Scrabble community in Bayelsa State is set to witness an exciting face-off as Ekowe Scrabble Club battles Peremabiri Scrabble Club in the 1st Edition of the Interclub Scrabble Match. The event will take place on Saturday, November 21, 2025, at the Civic Centre, Ekowe, SILGA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.  This initiative marks a major step toward strengthening interclub collaboration and Scrabble development at the grassroots level in Bayelsa State. With attractive prizes, free registration, and community spirit at its core, the Interclub Scrabble match promises to be a thrilling event celebrating both competition and camaraderie.  This also is one of the ways scrabble is spreading across the rural areas of Nigeria and gathering more audience for the game.  Winner’s Prize: ₦100,000 Most Valuable Player: ₦30,000 1st Runner-Up: ₦20,000 2nd Runner-Up: ₦10,000 Rounds: 10 Players per Team: 7 (5 regular, 2 reserves) Each club captain is required to submit their team list to the T...

How Scrabble Shapes Nigerian Society Positively

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Scrabble is more than just a board game in Nigeria.  It is a tool that inspires learning, builds community, and raises national pride. Over the years, Nigeria has become one of the strongest Scrabble-playing nations in the world, producing world champions and nurturing some of the finest strategic minds. 1. Promoting Education and Literacy Scrabble encourages strong vocabulary skills and critical thinking. Many students who play Scrabble develop better spelling, reading comprehension, and quick reasoning. In several Nigerian schools, Scrabble is now part of co-curricular activities, helping young learners improve their English while having fun.  I remember meeting with Olatunde Oduwole (National Scrabble Champion 2016) a Gold Medalist 2022 NSFestival singles. This is a man of jam-packed vocabs you can never comprehend. His mastery in word placement and board controls coupled with his word power equals to nothing but what I call word-power-house. I will likely talk about him la...

Bangkok International Championship 2025 - The Crown Jewel of Asian Scrabble

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The global Scrabble spotlight is currently shining brightly on Bangkok, Thailand, as the Bangkok International Crossword Game Championship 2025 (also known as the Thailand International/King’s Cup) officially kicks off. This prestigious tournament, running from October 11 - 13, 2025, is taking place at Paradise Park in Bangkok, and it is one of the largest Scrabble events in the world attracting elite players and millions of enthusiasts from across the globe. This is a Tournament with Royal Prestige.  The Bangkok International Championship is Thailand’s flagship Scrabble event, historically supported by the Thai monarchy. The winner of the top division traditionally receives a royal trophy, a symbol of honor and excellence in the Scrabble world. First launched decades ago as the Brand’s Crossword Game King’s Cup, the event has grown into an international mind-sport spectacle and a platform for language learning and youth development. This year’s edition features top international p...

Nairobi National Scrabble Championship 2025 - Final Standings

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The Nairobi National Scrabble Championship 2025 delivered an exciting weekend of wordplay and strategy as Kenya’s finest players converged at the Trademark Hotel for the 4th ECASA 2026 Qualifier. The event featured top-tier competition, strong performances, and defining moments that shaped the leaderboard right to the final round. Premier Division - Final Standings (After 18 Rounds) The Nairobi National Scrabble Championship remains a hallmark of excellence on the Kenyan Scrabble calendar. The 2025 edition combined top-level play, organization, and hospitality - setting the tone for future ECASA qualifiers. With ECASA 2026 qualification points on the line, every move counted. As always, the event proved that Kenya’s Scrabble community continues to thrive as one of Africa’s strongest word power networks. Photos:  Report by: Scrabble Kenya (via TSH v3.340) Source: scrabblekenya.com Published on: Scrabblebiz October 2025 Edition More photos...

Ghana National Scrabble Championship 2025 Kicks Off in Accra

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The Scrabble Association of Ghana has officially opened the Ghana National Scrabble Championship 2025, a two-day event taking place in Accra from October 3 to 4, 2025. The tournament is powered by TSH (tournament software), with full coverage hosted on the event portal: Ghana Nationals 2025 Coverage. Dates: October 3 - 4, 2025. Venue: Accra, Ghana. Organizer: Scrabble Association of Ghana (SCAG) The event features a strong lineup of Ghana’s top players battling for the prestigious National Champion title.  Why It Matters The Ghana National Scrabble Championship is not only the country’s most important domestic tournament but also a key prelude to WESPAC 2025, the World English-Language Scrabble Players Championship, which Ghana will host in November. Performances here are expected to influence Ghana’s final squad and momentum ahead of welcoming the world stage. Follow the action here: Ghana Nationals 2025 Official Coverage

Lagos Unified Scrabble Meet Set for November 1st

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Scrabble lovers are in for an exciting time as the Lagos Unified Scrabble Meet is set to hold on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Poolside Pavilion, Rowe Park Sport Centre, Alagomeji, Yaba. The event is rated by both NSF and PANASA wherein it promises to be a thrilling gathering of word warriors gearing players for the WESPAC in Ghane. What to Expect Star Prize: ₦150,000 Registration Fee: ₦10,000 Number of Games: 10 rounds Food, drinks, music, and even swimming will be available to make the day more fun-filled. Participation Only 50 players will be admitted into this exclusive meet-up, making it one of the most competitive Scrabble events in Lagos this year. For Registration & Payment Bank: Access Bank Account Number: 0067109082 Account Name: Olumide Oyejide Confirmation: Send payment receipt to 08145489813bon WhatsApp only. The Lagos Unified Scrabble Meet is about building connections, enjoying the Scrabble community, and gearing players for the WESPAC in Ghane. If you are ready...

Nigeria’s Top 10 WESPA Ratings September 2025

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Nigeria continues to be a powerhouse in the world of Scrabble, and the latest WESPA Nigeria ratings show just how dominant the country remains on the global stage. Updated on September 25, 2025, after the Fortune Town Invitational Tournament, these ratings highlight the very best wordsmiths representing the green and white. Here are Nigeria’s Top 10 Scrabble Players September 2025: Rank Player WESPA Rating 1 Wellington Jighere 2003 2 Eta Karo 1981 3 Dennis Ikekeregor 1980 4 Okiemute Tega 1980 5 Enoch Nwali 1978 6 Ezinore George 1968 7 Jimoh Abdulmumin 1961 8 Doko Oluwatimilehin 1961 9 Samson Okosagah 1958 10 Ayorinde Saidu 1945 Wellington Jighere stays at the top with a commanding 2003 rating.  These ratings reflect Nigeria’s remarkable consistency with several players rated above 1900, a mark that puts them among the world’s elite. You might be wondering why this matter? Nigeria’s dominance at the top level of Scrabble is not just about pride, it shapes the global game. With more ...

YCT Grand Patron Scrabble Mega Jamz: The Ultimate Word Battle

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  THE STAGE IS SET! The countdown is over - it is time for the most anticipated Scrabble showdown of the year! On September 13th, 28 elite Scrabble players will storm the YABATECH Scrabble Club arena to compete in the YCT Grand Patron Scrabble Mega Jamz, an electrifying battle of wits, strategy, and vocabulary mastery. This event promises high-octane gameplay, nail-biting finishes, and a display of sheer mental agility as each player fights for supremacy, one tile at a time. Because this is mega jam that will prepare the club players for the  Lekki Scrabble Classic s lated for 27 - 28 of this September. 📅 Date: Saturday, September 13th 📍 Venue: YABATECH Scrabble Club ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM sharp Proudly Sponsored By: Mr. Femi Ayekun (Grand Patron) Whether you are a Scrabble enthusiast or a casual fan, this is your chance to witness intense competitive action, cheer for your favorites, and soak in the unforgettable atmosphere of the ultimate word battle. 📞 For Enquiries & Supp...

20 Two-Letter Words Every Scrabble Player Must Know

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In Scrabble, the shortest words can bring the biggest scores. Two-letter words are not just fillers, they open up premium squares, hook longer words, and can completely change the flow of a game. Every serious player needs to master them. The List AA - rough lava AB - abdominal muscle AD - advertisement AE - one (Scottish) AG - agriculture (informal) AH - expression of surprise AI - a type of sloth AL - a type of East Indian tree AM - present tense of “be” AN - an article AR - the letter R AS - to the same degree AT - location word AW - expression of sympathy or disappointment AX - tool for chopping AY - yes (archaic/poetic) BA - eternal soul (Egyptian belief) BE - to exist BI - bisexual / prefix meaning two BO - slang for friend 🔑 Why They Matter 1. High points in tight spots - e.g., playing QI or ZA for double-digit scores. 2. Hooks for longer words - e.g., turning AX into TAX or MAX. 3. Board control - 2-letter plays can block an opponent’s premium spot. ✅ Final Tip Memorize these ...