Abia Hosts, Wins Maiden South East Open Scrabble Championship

The first South East open scrabble championship has been concluded in Umuahia with Abia State emerging champions with 18 wins and one draw from 22 games to clinch the title.

Anambra State finished second with 16 wins and a draw, while Imo State finished third with 14 wins with Enugu and Ebonyi States coming fourth and fifth respectively.

Declaring the championship closed that Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Nwaobilor Ananaba thanked governor Alex Otti for unwavering commitment to sports development and for supporting the hosting of the tournament.

Ananaba who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Jane Igwe, thanked the organisers and the participating States for comporting themselves throughout the three day event.

He expressed the hope that the athletes were returning home with improved knowledge, skill, and more determination to do better.

Also speaking, the State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George thanked Governor Alex Otti for making this championship possible and the Sports Commissioner for ensuring its success.

George also thanked the athletes for travelling down from their different states to be part of this exercise, and wished them well in their future endeavours.

In an interview, the most valuable player Chinedu Thorpe said he was pleased to have emerged the most valuable player in the competition and commended the state government for hosting the championship.

Mr. Thorpe further encouraged the youths to take up a career in Scrabble as a way to channel their energies positively and drive them away from crime and criminality.

Head Coach of Abia State Scrabble Association, Azu Neighbour noted that Abia’s emergence as winner of the Championship has enabled the discover more talents through the Secondary School games and also intensify training for other upcoming International tournaments.