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Showing posts with the label PANASA

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...

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...

Abdulmumin Jimoh wins the Lekki Scrabble Classics 2025

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Lekki Scrabble Classic 2025 Full Recap Jimoh Abdulmimim, Lekki Scrabble Classics Champ 2025 The Lekki Scrabble Classic (LSC) 2025 has officially concluded, delivering two days of elite Scrabble action in Lagos on September 27–28, 2025. With a combined prize pool of ₦4,750,000, this year’s edition cemented the LSC as one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and competitive tournaments. Last year (2024), the Lekki Scrabble Classic was won by Charles Tachie-Menson from Ghana.  Abdulmumin Jimoh wins the Lekki Scrabble Classics 2025 and took home ₦1,000,000 + the LSC trophy.  Premier Division Eligibility: Players rated 1300–2000 Prize Pool: ₦2,620,000 + ₦550,000 in Intermediate awards Top Prize: ₦1,000,000 Championship Division Eligibility: Nigeria Scrabble Federation-licensed players rated 0–1299 Prize Pool: ₦1,580,000 Top Prize: ₦400,000 There were also extra prizes given to prospective (u17) players, Veterans and female top players  The Premier division featured highest-rated pl...

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 ...

The Secret Weapon of Every Scrabble Champion

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What really separates a good scrabble player from a champion? It is not just word lists. It is not just memory. It is not even luck. Pool House Scrabble Club 1st Quarterly 2025 The difference is pattern recognition. A good player many times may not master patterns but a champion will. Another factor is the ability to spot opportunities before anyone else does.  Seeing What Others Miss . Well, let us look at it from another view below. Top players don’t just play tiles; they read the board like a map.  They t urn a random rack into a 90-point play. They spot bonus squares before the opponent even thinks of them They predict the next two moves like a chess master Train your brain to see patterns. Pattern recognition is a skill you can build. How? Study common letter combinations (ER, ED, RE, IN, ST and so on).  Visualize hooks before placing a word.  Practice parallel plays to squeeze every point The more you practice, the more automatic it becomes - until it feels lik...

Focus Training - The Zen of Scrabble

In today’s world, distractions are everywhere like phones always buzzing, every time notifications, constant noise. Scrabble gives you a rare gift like deep, uninterrupted focus. Total Board Awareness: Scrabble teaches you to look at the board, see every possible opening, and stay present in the moment. You are not just playing tiles you are reading the entire game state. A total concentration is needed to achieve this, and that is focus. Blocking Out Distractions: Once you are in a game, the outside world fades away. This practice of “deep work” carries over to studying, working, and problem-solving in everyday life. A symptom of side distraction can cost you a game by losing it. See problem solving... Building Mental Stamina: A Scrabble tournament can last for hours and so can a big project or exam. Training your brain to stay sharp for multiple rounds builds focus endurance. Also see mental strength... Mindful Thinking Scrabble makes you slow down just enough to think carefully abou...

Quick Thinking - The Speed Workout of Scrabble

Scrabble is not just about knowing words  it is about finding them fast. You can ask Nigel Richards if you doubt this statement.  When the clock is ticking, you train your brain to think sharper, make decisions quicker, and spot plays under pressure. Decision-Making on the Fly Every turn is a mini race against time. You scan the board, check your rack, and choose the best option  all in seconds. This boosts your ability to make smart decisions in real life too. Pattern Recognition According to Nigel, "scrabble is about pattern". Your brain becomes a lightning-fast scanner, picking out playable words, bonuses, and openings in record time. The more you play, the quicker you see opportunities others miss. Staying Cool Under Pressure Blitz games and tournaments teach you to stay calm when the clock is running down. This mental skill helps in exams, meetings, and any situation where quick thinking matters. Mental Agility Your brain gets faster at switching strategies - pivotin...

Mental Strength - The Core of Scrabble’s Brain Gym

Over the while I have involved in this business, scrabble is not just about playing words. One of the core primary features of scrabble is about building mental endurance. Every time you sit down at the board, you are giving your brain a workout that sharpens focus, grows vocabulary, and strengthens your ability to handle pressure. Let us talk about Vocabulary Muscle Every new word you learn is like adding another rep to your mental gym routine. Over time, you will notice how quickly you recognize playable words, spot bonuses, and rack up points. How about Focus & Patience Scrabble teaches you to slow down and think deeply - no rushing, no shortcuts. Staying locked in for several rounds builds the mental discipline to stay focused on other areas of life too. See focus... Resilience Not every game goes your way. Sometimes you’ll draw a bad rack or miss a play and that is okay. Scrabble teaches you to stay calm, bounce back, and keep playing stronger than before. Strategic Thinking T...

The 2nd Pan-African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC): Nairobi 2025

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The 2nd Pan-African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC): Nairobi 2025 About AYSC The Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship, organized by the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), is a premier continental event for young scrabble talents. The 2025 edition will feature two categories Under 15 and Under 19, with 150 players from 11 African countries competing for top honors. The maiden edition was hosted in Lagos, Nigeria, from August 24 to 28, 2023, at Chrisland School, Lekki. It saw Nigerian players David Ojih and Prestige Archibong clinch the U-19 and U-15 titles, respectively.  Nigeria’s junior scrabble stars have landed in Nairobi, Kenya, ready to compete in the 2nd Pan-African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC). The event takes place from August 14 to 17, 2025, at Brighton International School in Syokimau, Machakos County. Organized by the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), the championship features two age divisions—Under-15 (U-15) and Under-19 (U-19)—and brings ...

Team Nigeria Arrives Nairobi for the African Scrabble Championship 2025

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Nigerian Youth Scrabble Team Arrives Nairobi for the African Scrabble Championship The Nigerian Scrabble contingent, including both the senior and youth teams, has arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, ahead of the highly anticipated African Scrabble Championship (ASC). NSF President Engr Toke with the youth team The team, known for its dominance on the continental stage, is set to compete against the best players from across Africa in a battle of words, skill, and strategy. Nigeria will be represented by a formidable lineup of seasoned champions and promising young talents, all eager to maintain the country’s enviable record in the sport. Led by the national coaching crew and officials from the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), the delegation includes players in the youth category who will feature in the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) running alongside the main event. Over the years, Nigeria has built a reputation as the undisputed powerhouse of African Scrabble, consistently produc...