Reigning African champion Oluwatimilehin Doko, along with Adebola Samuel, Cyril Umebiye, and Abdulmumin Jimoh, have successfully secured their spots in the Master category of the 2024 National Sports Festival after the conclusion of the Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA) trials held in Abeokuta over the weekend.
Doko, whose prowess on the board was never in doubt, amassed a total of 36 wins in 50 games, reinforcing his status as the No. 1 player on the continent, following the trials that began over five months ago.
In the Intermediate category, African Youth Champion David Ojih punched his ticket to the Games with 32 wins after 50 games.
Ojih was joined by Akeem Ogundokun, Tunde Saporu, and Musa Lateef to complete the quartet in the category.
The competition in the Open category produced the quartet of Idris David, Emmanuel Ogiogio, Olumide Sobowale, and Leke Ogunjobi, while the Female class saw 2023 African Games gold medal record-holder Adebisi Adekansi, Joy Ola, Bukunmi Afolayan, and Blessing Ola.
All 16 qualified players will go into camp in April for the Games, which begin on 16 May 2025.
OSSA Chairman Adekoyejo Adegbesan, while congratulating the successful players, commended all participants for their commitment and the level of competition displayed at the 2-day tournament.
He further revealed that final selection for each category would be decided at the end of the camping period.
“I would like to congratulate every one of you for what was a good weekend for Scrabble,” said Adegbesan. “The qualifiers just ended, and we have four from each category going into closed camping, where we would be deciding who plays individual, doubles, and team for the state.
“Whereas the coaches and I are able to make some straight calls from some of the categories, the majority of how we will set up our team will be based on what we see in camp, so players who qualified are not to look at how they finished at these qualifiers.”
He, however, warned against being complacent and strongly advised players to play at their full strength in every situation, as the Association’s target to win top medals as host of the Gateway Games remains unchanged.
In a similar development, Vice-chairman Lukeman Owolabi also gave some encouraging words to the players for their conduct.
“Congratulations to all the qualifiers. Well done! I’m confident that all of you guys will be good ambassadors of the state at the National Sports Festival,” he said.
“For those who did not make the Sports Festival team this time, do not despair. There is always going to be another opportunity as long as you continue to hone your Scrabble skills.”
The players were full of appreciation to the board for paying their allowances and creating a level playing field for all.
QUALIFIED PLAYERS
Oluwatimilehin Doko CC
Abdulmumin Jimoh EXP
Samuel Adebola
Cyril Umebiye EXP
David Ojih
Akeem Ogundokun
Tunde Saporu
Musa Lateef
Idris David
Emmanuel Ogiogio
Olumide Sobowale
Leke Ogunjobi
Bisi Adekansi
Joy Ola
Bukunmi Afolayan
Blessing Ola
