The 2019 Scrabble Championship has ended in joy for Wellington Jighere of Delta State.
Jighere shrugged off challenges from defending national champion Moses Peter of Akwa Ibom State and two time African champion Dennis Ikekeregor – also from Delta State – who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
All three players recorded 19 wins from 24 games but Jighere edged them out on superior cumulative.
Expressing delight over his victory, the University of Benin graduate said he can now heave a sigh of relieve winning the Championship that had long eluded him.
“I am delighted that the National Championship has finally been won by me.
I was seen by some people as an outstanding international player who could not do same domestically. Now, my victory in the National Championship has finally changed that notion.”
Jighere received a cash prize of ~N~ 200,000 and was decorated with the traditional Green Jacket.
President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Gora Suleiman said lack of fund almost made it impossible for the competition to go ahead. He however expressed the hope that things would change for the better with the coming of Mr Sunday Dare as Sports Minister.
Delta emerged the best state beating closest rivals Bayelsa and Oyo.
44 players took part in the three-day event at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Akintunde Akinsemola, Chairman, NSF Media and Publicity Committee disclosed this to www.brila.net.
