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SCRABBLE: $41,000 For Grabs, As PANASA President’s Cup, African Tourney Begin In Lagos

Players across the world converge in Lagos, Nigeria to participate in the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) where $41,000 has been set aside as prize money.

The inaugural editions of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) begin Thursday morning at the Orchid Hotel, Ikota-Lekki and the Chrisland School also in Lekki, Lagos State.

Sports Marketing International (SMI) reports that $32,000 dollars is the prize money pool for the President’s Cup and $9,000 dollars has been set aside as prize money for the African Youth Scrabble Championship. The AYSC has lots of spot prizes and gift items ranging from Laptops to tablets and smartphones for the participants.

Over 225 players from Africa and America are competing for honours at the twin events that will last for four days. Players from countries such as Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, The Gambia, Uganda, the United States of America and host Nigeria will feature at the events.

The PANASA President’s Cup (PPC) is an elite one-category event open to scrabble players across the globe, while the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) is reserved for young players in Africa who are 19 years and under, with two categories to compete for, U-15 and U-19.

The governor of Turkana County Province of Kenya, His Excellency Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan who is the special guest of honour will declare both Championships open beginning with the President’s Cup by 8am and the African Youth Scrabble Championship by 10am all within the Lekki axis of Lagos State.

The governor on arrival paid a courtesy visit to the Oba Oniru of Ireland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II and he also visited a frontline Pan-African educationist, Dr Mrs Winifred Awosika, the founder of the famous and prestigious Chrisland Schools.

On Saturday, after two scheduled rounds of games, the visiting young players will go on an excursion to landmark locations in the city of Aquatic Splendor like the National Museum, Lekki Conservation Park, Kalakuta Museum, Nike Arts Gallery and do some shopping too.

In a bid to encourage more female participation in the game of Scrabble, the Continental Governing Body of the game of words has earmarked special prizes for the best female at the end of the challenging and gruelling competition that will last for four days with 25 rounds of games.

In addition to the individual prizes, the top team will smile home with 1000 dollars. A team at the President’s Cup is made up of at least three players from the same country and it’s limited to only the African countries at the championship.

The winner of the President’s Cup will get 5,000 dollars and the Gbenga Ojofeitimi trophy, and SM Quartey trophy will be handed to the second prize winner and a cash prize of 2,500 dollars and 1,700 dollars and the Ojior Osikhena trophy goes to the third best player.

Nine rounds of games will be played on Day 1 of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup and the games start at 9am, each player has 25 minutes per round of game. It’s both PANASA and WESPA rated, and their rules apply in this Championship. The 2021 Collins Scrabble Words Dictionary is the reference material for the tournament.

Former African champion and winner of the Engineer Toke Aka National Jubilee Championship, Nsikak Etim is the President’s Cup number one seed, West Africa Scrabble champion and holder of the NSF Green Jacket Eta Karo is the second seed while Health Education student at the University of Lagos who is also the winner of third edition of Governor Douye Diri national championship, Enoch Nwali completes the top three.

The highest-ranked foreign player in the 135-man strong field that includes eight ladies is Kenya’s Allan Oyende at number 8 and Gitonga Nderitu another Kenyan at 15th while Uganda’s Edgar Odongkara is at number 20.

Ogun State-born coach and player Bukunmi Afolayan who is also into music is the highest-ranked female participant at number 40.

Kenya with 13 players has the largest contingent outside the host nation, Nigeria. Uganda is in Lagos for the President’s Cup will 11 players, 10 from Liberia and Ghana, the next host of the event is in town with a 7-man strong team.

Botswana, Cameroon, The Gambia and the United States of America are represented by one wordsmith each at the President’s Cup (PPC) taking place at the serine and classy Orchid Hotel Ikota-Lekki in Lagos.

The top 20:

1 2353 NGA Nsikak Etim
2 2247 NGA Eta Karo
3 2209 NGA Enoch Nwali
4 2208 NGA Godwin Victor
5 2207 NGA Wellington Jighere
6 2188 NGA Dojo Oluwatimilehin
7 2150 NGA Emmanuel Umujose
8 2147 KEN Allan Oyende
9 2140 NGA John Aiyedun
10 2133 NGA Dennis Ikekeregor
11 2067 NGA Cyril Umebiye
12 2058 NGA Hakeem Olaribigbe
13 2048 NGA James Ewruje
14 2032 NGA Ezinore George
15 2029 KEN Gitonga Nderitu
16 2025 NGA Abiola Adegbola
17 2017 NGA Precious Igali
18 1999 NGA Olumide Oyejide
19 1955 NGA Anthony Ikolo
20 1992 UGA Edgar Odongkara

Six rounds of games will be decided in the African Youth Scrabble Championship on Day 1. 24 rounds of games will be played over four days of competition at the AYSC held at the prestigious Chrisland School Lekki.

In the U-19 category, nine Kenyans and 24 Nigerians will be vying for the top prize while three countries, host Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda are represented in the U-15 event, 12 Kenyans, three Ugandans and 46 Nigerians including 8-year-old scrabble whiz kid, Saviour Onazi.

The Scrabble feast will be brought to a befitting end on Sunday with the first PANASA Awards and Gala Night starting at 7pm Nigerian time. During the Gala Night. PANASA will unwrap the details of the next host of the President’s Cup, the African Youth Scrabble Championship and the dates for the African Scrabble Championship to be hosted by Sierra Leone next year among other plans and programs of the continental body of Scrabble.

The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) have enjoyed huge corporate and individual backing.

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Nigeria Premier League

Abiodun Celebrates The NPFL’s New Era As Remo Stars Clinch The 2024/25 Trophy

Abiodun Celebrates The NPFL's New Era As Remo Stars Clinch The 2024/25 Trophy

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed delight at the steady transformation of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), commending the league’s organizers for aligning its calendar with international standards.

Governor Abiodun made the remarks in Abeokuta while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by its President, Ibrahim Gusau, and the Chairman of the NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.

The officials visited to congratulate the Governor following the official presentation of the 2024/25 NPFL trophy to Remo Stars—champions of this season.

Speaking on the sidelines of the visit, the Governor praised the NPFL’s decision to synchronize its season with global leagues, many of which conclude by May or early June.

“While the champions, our own Remo Stars from Ogun State, were crowned on Sunday, there is just one more game to conclude the season—meaning the NPFL will wrap up in May, just like most European leagues. This is commendable,” he said.

Abiodun, who attended the trophy presentation in Ikenne, also applauded the NPFL board for conducting a smooth and rancor-free season.

“It is to the credit of the NPFL Board, led by my brother, Elegbeleye, that we had this beautiful celebration today. All stakeholders agree that Remo Stars are worthy champions,” the Governor stated.

Present at the reception were several NFF Board members, including Ganiyu, Aisha Falode, and Silas Agara.

Sports247.ng

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL Drama: Late Spot-kick Seals Shooting Stars’ Win Over Sunshine Stars

Sunshine Stars narrowly lost 0-1 to Shooting Stars in a tightly contested Matchday 36 fixture of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan

Sunshine Stars narrowly lost 0-1 to Shooting Stars in a tightly contested Matchday 36 fixture of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The decisive goal came in the 84th minute after the referee awarded a late penalty to the home side, following a scramble in the box.

Just two minutes earlier, Sunshine Stars were reduced to ten men when defender Yusuf Olowoshile received a red card.

Shooting Stars capitalized on the advantage, converting the penalty with composure to secure all three points.

Despite the defeat, Sunshine Stars displayed grit and determination, going toe-to-toe with their hosts and creating several scoring opportunities.

Goalkeeper Emma Offori was a standout performer, making several key saves to keep the Owena Whales in the contest.

Speaking after the match, Shooting Stars head coach Gbenga Ogunbote praised Sunshine Stars for their resilience, labeling their current league standing as “unfortunate.”

On his part, Sunshine Stars coach Bobola Akinfolarin expressed frustration with the result, particularly the timing of the penalty. Nevertheless, he stressed that the team must now shift focus to their final two games of the season.

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Nigeria Premier League

Football World Stunned As NFF PSAC Reverses Rivers United Decision

Football World Stunned As NFF PSAC Reverses Rivers United Decision

In a stunning and unprecedented move, the Nigeria Football Federation’s Players Status and Arbitration Committee (NFF PSAC) has reversed its own judgment in the high-profile contractual dispute between Rivers United FC and former player Deputy Echeta—six months after issuing a definitive ruling, Sports247 reports.

The controversial reversal, handed down on March 1, 2025, but only made public at the end of April, has left legal experts and football stakeholders baffled.

It directly contradicts PSAC’s earlier decision from December 2, 2024, which ruled in favor of Echeta, citing multiple breaches of FIFA regulations by Rivers United.

The Original Judgment: A Clear-Cut Case

In its initial ruling, the PSAC made the following key findings:

1. Unlawful Suspension: Rivers United’s indefinite suspension of Echeta was declared illegal, violating FIFA’s cap of 30 days for player suspensions pending investigations.

2. Wage Breach: The club was found guilty of failing to pay the player for over four months—qualifying under Article 14bis of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) as just cause for unilateral contract termination.

3. Contractual Compensation: While Echeta was entitled to seek compensation under Article 17bis of the RSTP for unlawful termination, he waived that right.

4. Excessive Transfer Fee: The club demanded N15 million to loan Echeta to Sunshine Stars, despite the latter offering N1 million—a move deemed a deliberate effort to block his career progression.

5. Provisional Clearance: PSAC issued Echeta clearance to sign with any club of his choice immediately.

6. Admonishment: Rivers United was chastised for bad faith and actions that jeopardized Echeta’s career and economic freedom.

Despite the ruling, Echeta remained without a club as Sunshine Stars delayed signing him until the transfer window opened. In January 2025, a lifeline came from a foreign club offering a short-term contract.

However, when Echeta submitted his PSAC-issued clearance to register abroad, the NFF’s Transfer Matching System (TMS) manager refused to issue his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), contrary to standard protocol.

Only through intervention under revised FIFA guidelines was the player eventually registered, rendering the provisional clearance practically redundant.

The Shocking Reversal

In a twist that many are calling a “procedural disgrace,” the NFF PSAC quietly reconvened the case on March 1, 2025—without notifying or inviting Echeta to the hearing. Instead, only Rivers United was granted audience, and the committee took the unprecedented step of overturning its previous decision.

This move flies in the face of standard arbitration procedure. PSAC had initially acknowledged that only a higher legal authority—such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) could review or overturn ithe ruling.

Moreover, procedural time limits for lodging appeals had already lapsed by the time the case was reopened.

The New Ruling: A Legal Contradiction

The committee’s new ruling includes the following points:

1. Revocation of Clearance: Citing Article 9 of the RSTP, PSAC rescinded the provisional clearance, arguing it was misused to facilitate an international transfer without the club’s consent.

2. Mandatory Reconciliation: Echeta was instructed to return to Rivers United to negotiate a mutual contract termination so the club could “benefit from his economic rights.”

3. Financial Penalties: The player was fined N5 million for “gross misconduct and misrepresentation,” along with an additional N1 million payable to the NFF for allegedly breaching trust.

Confusion Breaks the Bone

Legal experts point to the existence of two conflicting rulings of equal legal weight as a glaring flaw that now complicates enforcement and undermines the integrity of the arbitration body.

More troubling is that the latest judgment was issued in the absence of one party, a breach of basic principles of fair hearing.

A Precedent of Chaos

The fallout from this case could be seismic for Nigerian football’s dispute resolution framework.

By overturning its own decision without proper procedure or jurisdiction, the PSAC may have set a dangerous precedent, where settled cases could be re-opened without cause or due process.

“This is not just a misstep, it’s a collapse of credibility,” said a legal analyst who asked not to be named. “You cannot act as judge and appellate court on the same matter. It’s unheard of.”

The Unanswered Question

As stakeholders try to make sense of this stunning reversal, one critical question lingers:

What changed between December 2024 and March 2025 to prompt this legal about-face?

Was there external pressure? Political influence? Or internal interference from powerful actors within the football ecosystem?

Whatever the cause, the PSAC’s credibility now hangs in the balance. Once seen as a bastion of fairness, the committee’s integrity is now under intense scrutiny, and unless this decision is reviewed.

Nigerian football risks descending into an era where justice is neither predictable nor guaranteed.

Sports247.com

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