Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Kaduna, is the latest university to welcome the ongoing ‘Take Scrabble To School Initiative.’
Engineer Toke Aka president. of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation NSF spearheaded the project drive to ABU.
He reiterated the importance of the initiative to grassroots Scrabble development.
“The future of the mind game belongs to the teeming youth population and the schools are where you will find and get them on board an experience they will cherish for a lifetime,” Engineer Aka pointed out.
He explained that over 75 percent of Nigeria’s universities and higher institutions have joined the ‘Take Scrabble To School Initiative’ program, and more will join in the months ahead.
President Aka donated four complete sets of Scrabble boards and tables to the newly created Ahmadu Bello University Club as part of the move aimed at driving the ‘Take Scrabble To School Initiative’.
The university’s Sports Director, Dr. Danlami Isa, was present to receive the equipment, and he had some pleasant and thoughtful words for the donor, Engineer Aka.
He said the equipment would go a long way in encouraging more students to take up the sport.
During Engineer Toke Aka’s two-day visit to ABU, Zaria, the school’s new Scrabble Club staged its first mini-open tournament with 22 players in attendance, while 30,000 Naira was shared as prize money.
The President used the occasion to appeal to all Scrabble stakeholders to support the ‘Take Scrabble To School Initiative’, which aims to introduce the sport to schools within the locality.
“Other African countries are developing their game, as the leader in the business, we must expand our player base and portfolio to keep our leadership status,” Aka said.
It’s noteworthy to mention that the current African Champion Oluwatimilehin Doko and immediate past African Champion Enoch Nwali ruled the scrabble circuit while in school.
….by Kelechi Bernard @woramangra