By Maxwell Kumoye
The very best of Nigerian women scrabble players are heading for Benin City to flex and test their might in the
All-Nigeria Amazons Scrabble Championship, billed for August 30-31.
A key and influential member of the army of scrabble amazons in Nigeria, Passfine Chinkere, told FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, that is going to be an exciting prospect and a new chapter in the game of scrabble.
“I call it “A New Chapter in the World of Scrabble” The First All-Amazons Scrabble Championship and the prospect of an All-Amazons Scrabble Championship is incredibly exciting,” she said.
Passfine Chinkere, the Most Valuable Player at the last Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA), strongly believes that the event the brainchild of Words and Wits in conjunction with the Nigeria Scrabble Federation NSF, is the perfect platform for the sport to furnish among the ladies and beyond.
“It signifies a new era for the classic word game, one that merges the traditional with the digital. As the first of its kind, this event has the potential to redefine the competitive Scrabble landscape and introduce the game to a broader audience.”
Nigeria being the number one scrabble playing nation can leverage the game using the AMAZONS as the springboard.
“Amazon’ vast reach and influence could make this tournament a truly global spectacle. The event could attract a diverse pool of players, from seasoned veterans to casual enthusiasts, all united by their love of words. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the intellectual prowess and strategic thinking required to excel at Scrabble.” Passfine Chinkere added.
Over 60 female players are expected to grace the competition, and Passfine Chinkere, currently ranked among the top 10 female wordsmiths says the turning point for female scrabble to blossom and open the door for the girl child to combine education and sports is here.
“I envision that this championship will be more than just a competition; it could be a platform to foster a stronger SCRABBLE COMMUNITY, both online and offline. Interactive features, such as live streaming, fan engagement, and behind-the-scenes content, could enhance the overall experience for viewers and participants alike,” the Amazon who studied English at the University of Port Harcourt stressed.
Despite coming from a medical family background, Passfine Chinkere, a member of Team Rivers has zeal for sport that is garnished with a passion to open up women’s involvement.
“Ultimately, the success of this inaugural event will depend on several factors: the level of competition, the quality of the production, and the ability to captivate a wide audience. If executed well, it could become an annual tradition, elevating Scrabble to new heights of popularity and prestige.”
Already a collage of Nigeria’s finest beauty, brain, boldness, bravery and experience led by multiple National Sports Festival gold medallist Akpos Malafakumo, Africa’s most decorated female scrabble player Tuoyo Mayuku have key in for the bewitching event holding at Oti Hotel, Benin City.
Other household names that will grace the championship are double gold medallist at the African Games Adebisi Adekansi, Joy Ola, a member of the all-conquering female Scrabble Team Nigeria to the African Games in Accra, Ghana, Priscilla Akhabue and Bukunmi Afolayan.
“I eagerly await the outcome of this historic tournament and look forward to seeing how it shapes the future of Scrabble,” the winsome Passfine Chinkere concluded.
Over one million naira has been set aside as prize money with the winner dancing to the bank with 300,000 naira. Lots of spot prizes will be up for grab during the compelling Championship.
Series of eye catching, unique, creative and iconic side events have been put together to tickle your sporting and entertainment taste bud during the two-day championship.
Meanwhile, a token sum of 20,000 naira has been fixed as the registration fee for the championship which covers each player’s exotic alluring accommodation and mouth-watering feeding for the duration of the edge-of-the-seat event.