26th January, 2012
Nigeria Scrabble Federation, NSF, has promised that the year 2012 will experience a positive turn- around in the sport.
While speaking with P.M Sports at his office in Lagos, the NSF Secretary General, James Eakyns, said scrabble players in the country should expect a busy schedule this year as the federation is in talks with new sponsors for more tournaments this year.
He said: “In line with our goal to make sure there is physical development in the sport annually, we are currently sourcing for more corporate and individual sponsors for tournaments that will improve our local players.”
On what the pundits and players of scrabble should expect this year, Eaknys said: “our players should not expect to participate only in our regular tourneys as I can assure them that this year is going to be a busy one.We have mapped out new programmes to keep them in good shape for all the international engagements scheduled for later part of the year.”
Meanwhile, the 1st vice president and Chairman Rules and Disciplinary Committee, Sulaiman Garba Gora, has called on players and stakeholders to support the NSF board this year with constructive contribution, suggestions and criticisms that will help them move the game to the next level.
Garba assured all stakeholders that this year will witness exceptional improvement in terms of administration, competitions and organisation for the benefit of all.
NSF in its efforts to ensure efficient management and growth of scrabble clubs across the country recently trained twenty five additional tournament directors. The training exercise was one of the highlights of their 2011 Annual General Assembly held in Abuja. The tournament directors were coached on how to handle, direct and conduct computer paring for championships.
The body also resolved to continue its campaign to encourage children, parents, teachers and the community to take active roles in developing self esteem and pride in academic achievements through scrabble.
—Bamidele Olowosagba