2nd Nigeria Scrabble Festival gets new venue

Apr 9, 2024 - 11:23 Updated: Apr 9, 2024 - 11:35

The biggest and largest gathering of Scrabble players in Nigeria the 2nd edition of the NSF National Scrabble Festival, now has a new venue.

The National Scrabble Festival initially scheduled to be held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has been moved to the historic city of Ijebu-Ode, also in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria.

The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Toke Aka, said the week-long Scrabble Festival was moved to a city noted for its hospitality and festival-like atmosphere because of some logistics reasons and the excellent hotel services offered by one of the hands, backing the event.

“The host State, Ogun, has put every logistics for a hitch-free Festival in place, and the hotel bills have been paid upfront so that every delegate will leave that Gateway State with lasting memories.” The NSF President said.

Aka explained that the Festival which begins on the 15th of April with the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship will take place at the Adetola Hall, in Rolak Hotel and Suites, Ijebu-Ode.

Rolak Hotel & Suites was commissioned on the 13th of September, 2014 and was further expanded in 2018, increasing lodging capacity to 110 rooms with improved our services.

Rolak Hotel and Suites is located deep within the serene ambience of the expansive city of Ijebu Ode.

The hotel is tastefully furnished with state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of corporate organisations and esteemed individuals who appreciate quality and exceptional services.

“The captivating, serene and spacious environment at the Hotel, coupled with its efficient and effective service delivery are some of the reasons why we selected Rolak Hotel and Suites, Ijebu-Ode to play host to the finest and most memorable moments of the Scrabble Circuit in the country,” Aka emphasized.

“The comfort and safety of the over 200 players, officials, and journalists as well as passionate, dedicated sponsors, associates and the sporting family is dear to us, we can't settle for less, but go the very best in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria's host of entertainment and festival.” Engineer Toke Aka, an Executive Member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA), added.

The Technical Director of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), John Curtis, stated that each State of the Federation will be represented by six players for the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, while 12 clubs will be competing for honours in the NSF Inter Club Challenge Grand Finals.

Between the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship and the NSF Inter Club Challenge Grand Finals, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation will take place on Thursday the 18th of April, while the NSF Awards and Gala Night holds on Sunday the 21st of April after the end of the Inter Club Challenge Grand Finals.

Warri Scrabble Club, now known as Victory SC parades famous wordsmith, Emmanuel Umujose, winner of the PANASA President’s Cup, Godwin Victor, Jacob Tone, Larry Etuwa and Akpojotor Ochuko are the defending champions of the NSF Inter Club Championship.

Teams that are through to the finals are:

✓ BENIN SC

✓ WARRI SC

✓ UYO SC

✓ JOS SC

✓ APEX SC

✓ ANAMBRA SC

✓ ABEOKUTA SC

✓ KADUNA CENTRAL SC

✓ SURULERE SC

✓ IKORODU SC

✓ PYRAMID SC