2024 NSF qualifiers: Serial winner, Timilehin Doko tops list of 35 invited players by Ogun State

Posted : 30 June 2024

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Dates for the selection of players who will represent Ogun State in the forthcoming National Sports Festival, scheduled for early next year, have been revealed.

The trials, which span from July to November this year, will see a total of 35 players, including West African Scrabble Championship winner Timilehin Doko, compete in four categories: Master, Intermediate, Open, and Female.

Four players will qualify from each category.

According to the Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), players will begin their race to the '2024 Gateway Games' from July 20 to 21, which is the first weekend of the trials, while the second leg of the staggered qualifiers will be held from August 24 to 25.

The other dates slated for the qualifiers are September 21 to 22, November 2, 3, 23, and 24.

The 16 qualified players will then proceed to a training camp on a date yet to be announced.

All games will be held at the OSSA playing arena, Old Trafford at Ijeja, Abeokuta.

Meanwhile, the OSSA has concluded arrangements for accommodation and transportation allowances for players coming from outside Abeokuta. All invited players will receive a daily camp allowance.

OSSA Chairman Adekoyejo Adegbesan said that every arrangement has been fine-tuned for the best players to emerge from the staggered qualifying race.

According to him, "It's with gladness that we are announcing the process of selecting four players for each of the four categories of Master, Intermediate, Open, and Female for the 2024 Gateway Games, which we all know as the National Sports Festival.

"So as a forward-looking Association of the hosting State, it's strategic that we activate a vibrant path to choose those who will give us quality representation and earn us some top medals at the Games.

"That's why we are inviting 35 of our players, led by West African Scrabble Championship title holder and our top-ranked star Timilehin Doko, to five weekends of trials from July to November this year. Fifty rounds of games will be played during the 10 days."

Regarding making the players comfortable during the selection process, Adegbesan stated that "the Scrabble Association will pay for accommodation, transportation allowances for players coming from outside Abeokuta, and also daily camp allowances," he said.

Players representing the state have been in intimidating form recently, as Samuel Adebola and player/coach Bukunmi Afolayan won the BSP Scrabble Tournament Class A and B titles, respectively, in Lagos in June. Meanwhile, Adebisi Adekansi made history as the first player to win two gold medals in female single and double events at the delayed 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana, in March.

2024 NSF qualifiers: Serial winner, Timilehin Doko tops list of 35 invited players by Ogun State

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