Team Ogun emerged as the undisputed champions of the Scrabble competition at the ongoing National Sports Festival, clinching the top spot on the medals table with an impressive haul of four gold, three silver, and one bronze medal across all categories.
The five-day tournament, which featured 24 states, concluded with dramatic scenes of jubilation as players embraced and celebrated their success on Tuesday.
Read Also: NSC DG Olopade: Abduljabar Adama Signals Olympic Hope, Swimming Now A Podium Sport For Nigeria
Ogun State’s scrabble contingent, competing as the “Prince Dapo Abiodun Jammers,” showcased their prowess in both individual and team events.
The team had earlier secured three gold medals in the Singles and Doubles categories before sealing their dominance with another gold in the Team Intermediate category.
African Youth Champion David Ojih led teammates Hakeem Ogundokun and Tunde Saporu to a resounding victory after 12 grueling rounds.
In the Female Team event, the trio of Adebisi Adekansi—who recently bagged double gold at the African Games—alongside Bukunmi Afolayan and prodigy Joy Ola, earned silver with a commendable 9 wins and 3 losses, placing behind Delta State.
The Opens team, comprising Emmanuel Ogiogio, David Idris, and Olumide Sobowale, also finished with a silver medal, narrowly trailing behind gold-winning Team FCT. Anambra State secured the bronze in this category.
Ogun Scrabble/PANASA Boss Praises Team’s Historic Performance
Ogun State Scrabble Association Chairman and Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, hailed the team’s performance as historic and a testament to the state’s commitment to scrabble development.
“It’s never been like this before. The ambience, the new equipment, and the world-class playing conditions—everything was set to the highest standard. We just put up the best of the best,” Adegbesan said.
He credited the success to the players’ dedication and the state’s investment in quality training and tournament conditions.
“Congratulations Team Ogun. You have no idea what you all have just done at this National Sports Festival! You have cemented our spot as the best Scrabble-playing state in Nigeria. We have won everything there is to win, and now we are the national champions.”
Review of Winners by Category
Singles Event:
Masters: Bayelsa (Gold), Edo (Silver), Rivers (Bronze)
Intermediate: Bayelsa (Gold), Ogun (Silver), Osun (Bronze)
Opens: FCT (Gold), Delta (Silver), Ogun (Bronze)
Female: Delta (Gold), Edo (Silver), Ogun (Bronze)
Doubles Event:
Masters: Ogun (Gold), Lagos (Silver), Edo (Bronze)
Intermediate: FCT (Gold), Lagos (Silver), Akwa Ibom (Bronze)
Opens: Ogun (Gold), Oyo (Silver), Abia (Bronze)
Female: Ogun (Gold), Lagos (Silver), Edo (Bronze)
Team Event:
Masters: Edo (Gold), Delta (Silver), Lagos (Bronze)
Intermediate: Ogun (Gold), Oyo (Silver), Delta (Bronze)
Opens: FCT (Gold), Ogun (Silver), Anambra (Bronze)
Female: Delta (Gold), Ogun (Silver), Lagos (Bronze)
The scrabble events at the National Sports Festival showcased the growing depth and competitiveness of the sport in Nigeria, with Ogun State now firmly established as a powerhouse in the game.
