Jubilant Ayedun wins 3rd NSF South-West Scrabble in Akure

Posted : 05 November 2024

Grand Master John Ayedun has become the third player to win the South-West Scrabble Open Tournament after he defeated Abdulmumin Jimoh 477-390 in the final round, edging out his closest rival, Cyril Umebiye, for the title with a cumulative score of +81.

Ayedun finished with a total of +958, ahead of the defending champion, who scored +877, and Jimoh, who had +679 after the trio recorded 11 wins and 4 defeats, winning the giant trophy and a cash prize of 600,000 naira at the end of the two-day tournament.

Watch NPFL Matches LIVE: https://www.africasport.net/livetv/nigeria

However, Umebiye missed the opportunity to keep the trophy after failing to win the title for a second time.

The finicky nature of the game came into play again when Day One leader Umujose fell from his advantageous position to 6th place, despite opening the final day with a win. He lost all three remaining games.

In the rankings, 2022 African champion Enoch Nwali, new African King Timilehin Doko, Umujose, and Ibukun Faloye all recorded 10 wins and 5 defeats each, but were separated by varying cumulative scores of +1138, +504, +326, and +27.

Emotions were high as top players tried to outscore each other in the closing stages. "It was a highly competitive event. I actually never saw this victory coming," said Ayedun with a smile on his face.

"With the presence of two African champions—the immediate past champion, Enoch Nwali, and the recently crowned holder, Timilehin Doko—having them participate in this tournament shows it’s really competitive. Emerging as the winner is not a small feat, and I give God Almighty the glory for this achievement."

"Egbele has done so well in making this South-West Scrabble Tournament a wonderful event. From the first edition in Ibadan, won by my friend Adeyemi Adeosun, to the one in Abeokuta, Ogun State, won by Cyril Umebiye, those were closed events. Now that this edition is open to all Nigerians, and I won, God will continue to bless him."

Apiafi Isaac emerged as the best in the intermediate category, while Tsola Mabiaku took the best Open title. There was also a side event for children, and many players were rewarded with spot prizes.

In his closing remarks, Nigeria Scrabble Federation South-West Coordinator Emmanuel Egbele praised the Ondo State Scrabble Board members, including Samuel Alagha and Sunshine Scrabble Club Chairman Prince Adeloye Adetomiwa, for hosting one of the best tournaments in the zone. Egbele, a proponent of an exquisite scrabble playing experience, also commended the Local Organising Committee, which included his team members: Tayo Ogunseye, Hakeem Olaribigbe, Omotayo Hamzat, Khaleel Adedeji, Emmanuel Enyi, and Paul Gbadegeshin, for their contributions to the event's organization.

As the convener of the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST), he raised concerns about the future of the tournament, as the tenure of the NSF would soon be over. "The experience has always been tough because organizing a tournament of this magnitude requires a lot of resources, logistics, and preparation. Yes, we cannot rule out the challenges of the economic situation, especially with players traveling from different locations across the country. However, I prefer to look on the bright side and seek ways to improve the game, hold more tournaments, and prepare for international competitions like the World Championship in Ghana next year."

"We have both the current and immediate past African champions at this tournament, which they are using to prepare for the National Sports Festival next year," he added.

Chairman of the Ondo State Scrabble Board, Chief Samuel Alagha, expressed his thoughts, saying, "I feel elated that this tournament has surpassed others. We have the who’s who in scrabble, with the presence of Enoch Nwali, Timilehin Doko, John Ayedun, and many others. Egbele has done an excellent job; you can see his sense of organization. We also thank the state governor for his support, and more importantly, the impact this tournament is having on young players is massive. You can see the children had their own event alongside the main one, so tournaments like the South-West Scrabble Open are what we should have to develop our game." He concluded.

Jubilant Ayedun wins 3rd NSF South-West Scrabble in Akure

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics