…As Details Of First Leg Of AYSC Trophy Tour Released
The Scrabble Association of Ghana (SAG) in collaboration with the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), have concluded arrangements to host Nigeria’s Wellington Jighere a former scrabble World Champion and a two time African King.
Jighere, unarguably the most successful and most decorated scrabble player in Nigeria and the continent of Africa is to be honoured by the Scrabble Association of Ghana because of his dexterity and influence on the game of words in Nigeria, West African sub region, Africa and the World.
In 2015, the Delta State born Scrabble Super Star won the World Championship in Australia and became the first African to achieve that feat by defeating Lewis MacKay. A bronze medal in 2007 and fourth finish in 2017 at the World Championship are part of his rich CV in the game.
Seven years earlier, Wellington Jighere at 25, became the youngest player to be crowded as African Scrabble Champion in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
Two years later, in 2010 in Accra, Ghana, Jighere became the second player to do a double with his defense of the African Scrabble Championship diadem. Dennis Ikekeregor was the first to do a back to back wins in 2004 and 2006.
The player widely consider as the face of African Scrabble is due in Accra on Sunday. The Scrabble Association of Ghana are hosting Wellington Jighere the current King of Scrabble in the Jungle as part of the activities to herald the historic African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) Trophy Tour which begins in Ghana on May first.
On April 30th, the Dr Mrs Winifred Awosika Trophy will be received at the Kotoka International Airport Accra, Ghana by the President of Scrabble Association of Ghana, Haruna Adamu.
Come Monday the first of May 2023, a one day Scrabble Tournament in honour of former World Champion, Wellington Jighere and the visiting AYSC Trophy Tour delegation will be played in Accra.
Tuesday the second of May, promises to be a very busy day as the AYSC Trophy will be received by Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Mustapha Ussif, the President of Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah and Ghana’s Director National Sports Authority will also play host to the Dr, Mrs. Winifred Awosika Trophy.
The Trophy Tour caravan will similarly make a stop over at the biggest privately owned radio station in Ghana, Joy FM before closing Tuesday’s tour at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
And on Wednesday, the trophy will be taking round some selected schools in Accra and Tema. We gathered that students of Santa Barbara School Tema are one of the privileged institutions that will catch a close look at the Swatkins made nickel plated Dr, Mrs Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy before it leaves the former Gold Coast for the cities of Eldoret and Nairobi in Kenya.
Liberia, Uganda and host Nigeria are the other countries that the AYSC Trophy will tour before the start of the Inaugural edition of the Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship holding at the Chrisland School Idimu-Lagos, Nigeria between the 24th and 28th of August, 2023.
Over a hundred and twenty children from 12 African countries are expected to compete for honours in two categories, U-15 and U-19 Championships with princely prizes on offer.
Pan Africa Scrabble Association (PANASA) President Adekoyejo Adegbesan said “the trophy tour is one of the fresh strategy at creating a real feel and inspiration to many of African children and young adults. The AYSC Trophy Tour is also meant to activate the interest and spread awareness at the grassroots on the prospects and possibilities they can achieve as scrabble players.”
Adegbesan, a tech expert, who is one of hands behind the MGI Premier League, one of the most prestigious Scrabble league in africa, explained that the AYSC is one of the vehicle to drive the growth and spread the game of words among young Nigerians and their African counterpart and as a responsive and equally proactive organization, PANASA will put up an event that the continent will be proud of and will stay in their minds and hearts for years to come.
THE AYSC TROPHY TOUR GUIDE
APRIL 30 – MAY 1-3: Accra, Ghana
★ Trophy to be received at the Kotoka International Airport in Ghana by the President Scrabble Association of Ghana, Haruna Adamu
MAY 1:
★ A one day Scrabble Tournament in honour of the former World Scrabble Champion, Wellington Jighere and the visiting AYSC Trophy Tour delegation
MAY 2:
★ Visit to the Minister of Sports
★ Visit to the Director National Sports Authority
★ Visit to Joy FM (Biggest privately owned radio station in Ghana)
★ Visit to Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
MAY 3:
Visit to selected schools. Santa Barbara School, Tema is one of them
May 6-7: Eldoret, Kenya
May 8-9: Nairobi, Kenya
May 15-17: Lagos, Nigeria
May 19-22: Monrovia, Liberia
May 25-27: Gulu, Kampala, Uganda