Day 1 of the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship of the NSF National Scrabble Festival witnessed it’s fair share of surprises, upsets and exciting moments with Cross River’ Victor Ewarah, surprisingly leading the standings after 10 rounds of games at the Rolak Hotel and Suites, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria.
Ewarah, ranked 31st on the pre-tournament list secured the front seat with 8 wins, 2 losses and plus 719 cumulative points.
James Ewruje, representing Lagos State was the closest man to Victor both with the same number of wins, but the tournament 7th seed recorded 10 cumulative points less the latter.
Africa Scrabble Champion, UNILAG student of Health Education and tournament 2nd seed, Enock Nwali, trailed fellow his Lagos State compatriot with 7 wins a draw and 2 losses with +424 points.
Emmanuel Ekpo from Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel Umujose of Delta State, John Aiyedun with Team Lagos, back-to-back African King Dennis Ikekeregor and Oyo State’ Adegbola Abiola complete the super quintet chasing pack, all with only 3 losses and 7 victories.
Cumulative point is the yard stick that separates the good, from the better, among the occupants of the 4th to 8th positions after a tight day of hostilities, with Emmanuel Ekpo on +300, Emmanuel Umujose with 47 less, 5th seed John Aiyedun with +214, and then from Delta State’ Dennis Ikekeregor comes the drop with the team captain and coach recording a slim +71 cumulative points and +48 for Adegbola Abiola.
Despite the fact that Kwara State, seemed to be featuring a Youth Team for the biggest and most competitive competition in the Nigeria Scrabble circuit, the toughest and most challenging scrabble circuit on planet earth, the young warriors from Kwara State took the day within their strides and showed all what Nigerian youths have to offer the mind game.
15-year-old Qudus Aliu was the undisputable youth leader, retaining the top spot for 5 games and table 1 for 7 rounds. A PhD in bravery and fearlessness earned him the limelight and all mention throughout the day.
Abdulqudus enters Day 2 in the 12th position, an excellent space for the word warrior to continue his mind-blowing performance.
The Chairman of Lagos State Scrabble and Monopoly Association and 2017 NSF Green Jacket holder, Dipo Akanbi, was the first recipient of defeat at the hand of the scrabble wizkid, Friday Inoyo from Rivers State was the next of five to receive defeat as the reward of their efforts against the young son of Aliu the Afonja Warrior.
Qudus’ next victim was Emmanuel Ekpo with Team Akwa Ibom and 16 cumulative points short of +200 was the scoreline, round 4 saw Qudus tear any resistant from FCT’s Daniel Achema.
Sunday Oshodi of Rivers State, was the first person to stop Abdulqudus Aliu right in his tracks, 436-397 was how it ended.
The next set of games gave Qudus – a Senior Secondary School student hoping to study English in the University, the chance to return to the top with a 466-362 win over then second placed, Peter Ebomah who bears the emblems of the Federal Capital Territory.
Away from the wizard of the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, but not too far from him, the 13th to 20th positions housed to scrabblers on the same number of wins as Qudus, 6.
PANASA President Cup winner, Godwin Victor called the 13th spot his Monday night residence with +234 points securing his stay, the next spot was meant for
The Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship is part of the 4 in 1 NSF National Scrabble Festival – Gateway 2024, which is proudly and heavily supported by the Ogun State government.