BY ADEYEMI ROBINSON-ADEFIOYE LAGOS
The Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission OLUWATOYIN GAFAAR said that he was confident more talents would be discovered in the state following the exploit of ENOCH NWALI at the 2019 WORLD ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCRABBLE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP (WESPAC) in GOA, INDIA.
GAFAAR disclosed this during the brief closing ceremony of the IKORODU SCRABBLE MEET which was organized by the Commission in conjunction with Nigeria Scrabble Friends for players to garner rating points ahead of the 2020 NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL in Edo state.
NWALI who was discovered at the scrabble event of the 2012 IBILE GAMES for Secondary & Primary school, created a buzz in the scrabble world where he finished fifth at the WESPAC.
The 23-year old was however ranked 9th at the Meet which underlined the unpredictable attributes of the sport.
“I’m very happy”, an elated Gafaar said, “if the World No. 5 could be beaten and made to be Ikorodu No. 9,it shows that they are lots of talent resident in Ikorodu and Lagos State in general. We are expected to do more in taking sports not only scrabble to the grassroots. It’s a thing of joy. It’s just like the vision and mission of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to make Lagos the hub of sports in Africa. “
He then promised to organize another competition before the end of this year.
JAMES EWRUJE won the tournament after he recorded two consecutive wins in the penultimate and final games of the 14-round Meet which witnessed 40 players in attendant.
Convener of the NS Friends, SEGUN DUROJAYE appreciated the State for backing the programme and added that the group would always be ready to advance the development of the mind game.
He thanked the proprietor of PREGITE PLACE for making the facility available for the Meet.
A Scrabble enthusiast EGBELE EMMANUEL appreciated some of the players with cash rewards notably a female player, FEBISOLA OLANIPEKUN who impressed all with her overall performance at the Meet.
