Former World No. 9 Opeyemi Oloro has served up the exciting drama of what is to be expected at the maiden Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup when he came from behind to snatch the title at the Egbin Scrabble Tournament held in Lagos on Saturday.
Oloro who had a not-too-good run at the World English Language Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) in Las Vegas USA, last month finished top with 10 wins and two defeats with a cumulative points of 587 ahead of former national captain Cyril Umebiye (9-3) and Kenya’s top gun Allan Oyande (9-3) to claim the top prize.
Oyende had led the tournament till the 9th round and was almost running away with the title before a late move from Oloro turned the board against him.
His poor run in the latter rounds further contributed to his sliding down to third on the final table.
Qamar Adebowale picked the Division B title after he recorded a total score of 10 wins and two defeats.
Over 80 players featured at the one-day event.
The tournament which was organised by one of the oldest club, Egbin Scrabble Club served as a final event before the double-header scrabble Championships which begins on Thursday in Lekki, Lagos.
Players from 14 countries; Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, Cameroun, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, United States of America and host Nigeria will feature at the four-day events in the President’s Cup for the elite while students under 15 and 19 years will participate in the Dr Winifred Awosika Foundation African Youth Scrabble Championship.
Both events will run side-by-side each other.
A total prize of $31,000 prize-money will be on offer at the dual tournaments which hold from August 24-28.
Meanwhile, a Gala/ Award Night has also been planned to reward deserving players and personalities.
