NSFcommends MGI’s contributions to scrabble development
• Jighere wins inaugural Mind Games Grand Slam
Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) President, Olobatoke Aka, has commended Mind Games Incorporated for organising a series of championships to create awareness of the sport and also keep players in top form throughout the year.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the inaugural Mind Games Incorporated (MGI) Grand Slam at the Golfview Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Aka, who commended former world champion, Wellington Jighere, for winning the international championship, said that firm’s efforts to improve the sport’s standard has attracted global awareness and given more players opportunity to join in further making the sport popular in Nigeria.
“Everybody is aware that Nigerian players are respected globally. MGI has brought a new dimension to scrabble by organising the league, which has kept players busy all year round.
“The organisation has also proved that playing scrabble can also create employment for Nigerian youths. Putting together the MGI Grand Slam is another milestone achievement, as bringing the best players in Nigeria and overseas to compete against one another would promote its acceptance as a top sport in Nigeria,” he said.
Convener of the Grand Slam, Lukman Owolabi, assured that Mind Games Incorporated is committed to transforming scrabble to a more lucrative sport in Nigeria.
He said: “MGI would not relent in organising more championships in Nigeria. We are working hard to also promote scrabble at the grassroots level.”
Winner of the inaugural Grand Slam, Jighere, while expressing joy over his victory, stated that Nigerian players need more championships to sharpen their skills in the sport.
He praised MGI for their effort in creating an enabling environment for Nigerian players to compete for honours.
At the end of the event, the winner, Jighere, earned N1 million; Opeyemi Oloro got N500, 000 for coming second, while Tega Okiemute got N250, 000 for placing third.
Among the participants in the championship were the presidents of Ghana and The Gambian scrabble federations.
