…As Adebola, Bukunmi, Agbelekale emerge winners
Tosin Abu
It was a rare convergence, a gathering of word-lovers from the greats to the newbies as they all found a common ground in Ajegunle City which had its first feel of the mind game over the weekend at the maiden BSP Scrabble Tournament in Lagos.
A rich list comprising former World Champion, current African King, the EEAST conquerors, King of the Jungle! and other ‘word-leaders’ while not forgetting the mesmerizing 9 year-old Saviour Onazi who was the face of the 2023 PANASA African Youth Scrabble Championship, ensured the occasion matched it’s moment in history.
Players from 10 states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Edo, Delta, Niger, Kogi, Cross River, Anambra found expressions in the first ever tourney in Ajegunle.
It indeed lived up to expectations with suspense, drama and emotions.
James Eruje, a homeboy, who had the elements in his favour, as he occupied Table One even at the last round witnessed a sudden twist as he was shaken off in a tough duel by the eventual champion Samuel Adebola.
The Ogun State based player would emerge as the top man in a keenly contested competition having garnered 10 wins and 2 defeats same as second placed Wellington Jighere (+769) and Eruje (+675) but with the highest cumulative points of +902 in Class A.
He was presented with a cash prize of N250,000.
Scrabble Amazon Bukunmi Afolayan was the first to appear in Class B as she was fourth on the overall table with nine wins and three defeats.
Sufyan Boluwatife and Gbadebo Olufemi completed the top three positions in that category.
Ibikun Agbelekale was adjudged to be the best in Class C.
Various prizes including a scrabble set sponsored by former national champion Olatunde Oduwole were presented to every deserved player.
Over 102 players participated in the one-day tournament which was organized as a way of taking the sport to the base line of the vibrant community.
Collin Okafor, the President of the charismatic BSP Scrabble Club expressed his satisfaction with the turnout.
