Nigeria’s scrabble team fights for glory at Gladiators 2021 Virtual WESPEC tourney

The Nigeria national scrabble team began its quest for international honours as the inaugural Gladiators World English Scrabble Players Association Championship, (WESPAC), opened in Benin City, Edo State.

The championship is being attended by 23 nations, who are participating virtually from their various countries. It ends December 5.

Team Nigeria is which is camped in Benin City, has the privilege of presenting two teams in this inaugural event. The Nigerian contingent is divided into Team A and Team B.

The Nigerian team put up a laudable performance on the opening day on Saturday. Players representing Nigeria Team A are former world scrabble champion, Wellington Jighere, Nigeria current number one scrabble player, Eta Karo, Olatunde Oduwole, Prince Omosefe, Emmanuel Ofidi, Gbadebo Olufemi and Nsikak Etim. In Nigeria’s Team B are Anthony Odok, Emmanuel Umujose, Enoch Nwali and Oshevire Avwenagha.

Speaking with The Guardian on Sunday, coach of the team, Prince Tony Ikolo, said that all the players in Benin would come out victorious in their various games.

Day one of the championship saw Nigeria Team A and B slugging it out with other countries, and also against themselves, which is the procedure of the championship. Team B played three matches of 12 games each, and World No. 5, Enoch Nwali, leads the group with seven wins and five losses on open day.

Meanwhile, at the end of Day 2, which saw 16 matches of 32 games played, Prince Omosefe leads Team Nigeria with 12 wins, and is in 5th position of the global log, while Olatunde Oduwole and Nsikak Etim are behind him.

A total prize of 8000 Euros are up for grab at the championship.