Newly crowned African Scrabble champion, Enoch Tochukwu Nwali says his major target is to follow the footsteps of fellow Nigerian and former world champion, Wellington Jighere to rule the world of the mental game. The 300 hundred level Health Education student of University of Lagos last Monday in Lusaka, Zambia defeated other players from across the continent in a gruelling four days encounter to emerge the new African Scrabble champion. He told the media shortly after ‘Team Nigeria’ comprising of 15 players and four officials arrived from the Southern African country aboard Kenyan Airways that he will continue to work hard towards not only retaining the title next year but getting to the global stage. “This is a dream come through . I have been preparing, studying and praying for this victory. It was not easy, the field in Lusaka, Zambia was tough and I give God all the glory”, began Nwali who joined the Scrabble family in 2011. ” I know that staying at the top is not always easy because many players will be aiming to dethrone you but I will not only work towards retaining the title but will emulate my team mate, Wellington Jighere and rule the world of Scrabble which is my ultimate dream.”

Nwali who won the game of words and mind for the first time defeating his closest rival and compatriot Wellington Jighere in a tightly contested round 31 where he won 25.5 games with a cumulative score of 2023 to finish in first position ahead of former World Champion Jighere and two time African Champion Prince Omosefe however appealed for government and corporate support for the game to grow further in the country. “I know that we have a lot of talented youths in our Institutions of Higher Learning who are involved in the game of scrabble and they need the encouragement of government and corporate organisations to excel in the sport to enable us sustain our dominance of the game for a long time,” he stressed. Nwali who was particularly happy with the role played by the Scrabble Federation of Nigeria in his rise to stardom appealed to the Federation led by Engr.

Toke Aka to continue with their grassroots development programme which has seen more than six thousand players taking to the sports in clubs, Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and similar Institutions which he described as a good development that must be sustained. ” Kudos must go to the Scrabble Federation of Nigeria led by Engr. Toke Aka for all their encouragement to us before and during the championship in Zambia. I must also have to commend them for taking the game to schools and colleges which has helped a great deal in improving the sports in the country and I appeal to the Federation to sustain the momentum because other African countries are planning to not only catch up with us but put a stop to our dominance of the game.

Egbe tasks organisers of NDDC U-17 Peace Cup

F IFA licensed match agent and stadium facilities expert, Ebi Egbe has tasked organizers of the NDDC U-17 Peace Cup to ensure that the tournament lives up to its billings. Organizers of the tournament disclosed last week that this year’s edition tagged Delta 2022 would run from December 10-12. The event is expected to attract 18 teams from the nine Niger Delta states that comprises of Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Abia, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Delta and Ondo. Egbe, a patron of the organizers said he expects a better organized tournament that would see future stars from the region being discovered. “I m looking forward to a good tournament,” Egbe said. The Acting Managing Director of NDDC Engr Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua is expected to declare the event open while the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Obong Umana Umana would perform the official kick off.

Dare pledges Ministry’s support to NFF to make Flamingos world champions at senior level

In order to make world champions of World Cup bronze medallists, Flamingos given their innate talent and skills, and demonstrated ability, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will provide maximum support and encouragement to the Nigeria Football Federation as the players graduate from one level to another. This pledge was contained in the remarks of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Sunday Dare as he hosted the bronze medallists of the recently-concluded 7th FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, Flamingos of Nigeria at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday. “We commend you for the way you performed without fear and held up the flag to win a historic bronze for our country in this competition. I praise the NFF for the support to the team right from their screening through the qualifiers and to the arrangements for final camping in Turkey and the final tournament in India. We must also commend the coaching crew for their steadfastness in imparting the right knowledge to the players.

“I will be happy to see these players graduate from this level to the U20 and then to the senior team, because they have the skills and talent, and demonstrated ability to do very well. The Ministry will give NFF the right support to achieve that. They have served well as good ambassadors of our country on and off the pitch.” Earlier, President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau had introduced the team to the Minister, recalling the team’s exploits during the qualifying campaign and at the final competition in India, describing the players as “young, energetic, vibrant, positive and promising.” The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, hailed the team for “performing so wonderfully well” to make Nigeria proud, and observed that its success was attributable to synergy and telepathy, which should be credited to the coaching crew. Captain of the team, Alvine Dah-Zossu expressed appreciation to the Ministry and the NFF, and thanked Nigerians from all walks of life who prayed for and wished the team well in India. Also at the occasion were Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President); Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Mr. Timothy Henman (NFF Board Member); Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye (Director, FEADS); Engineer Olatunji Okedairo (Director, Facilities); Alhaji Musa Jafaar (Director, Human Resources); Mr. Segun Oke (Director of Procurement); Chairmen of the Football Associations of Gombe and Kwara States and; Ms Mary Onyali (SA to the Hon. Minister).

Earlier, on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the players and their officials were received by Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications); Barnabas Joro (Head of Protocol); Dayo Enebi Achor (Head of International); Toyin Ibitoye (Special Assistant to the Hon. Minister) and; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer). Chief Anyansi-Agwu gave kudos to the team for their excellent conduct on and off the field of play in India and assured them that the Government and people of Nigeria, as well as the NFF, are proud of their accomplishments. A dummy cheque of the sum of N3million promised the team by Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa was presented to the players and officials at the airport. Chairman of the NFF Task Force on Youth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi promised the team the sum of $10,000. The Presidency will host the team at a later date.