The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), have picked luxurious Hillview Guest Centrr, one of the top hotels in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to host the Special Scrabble Side Event during the 13th African Games, in March this year.
We gathered that the continental governing body of the game of words carefully selected Hillview Guest Center, Accra, because of it’s serenity, world class facilities and services, coupled with it’s location.
The President of PANASA, Adekoyejo Adegbesan said that the 80 players and officials will be adequately accommodated in the 120 holiday paradise rooms of Hillview Guest Center, that is about 11 miles from the iconic Kotoka International Airport, Accra.
“You know, to get the very best from any sports man or woman, the environment must be near perfect, the services around them, coupled with good food in a friendly setting is needed and that’s what PANASA is offering the players and officials with our choice of Hillview Guest Center, Accra.” Adegbesan stated.
Over 65 players from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Uganda have registered for the three-day competition which starts on the 15th and ends on the 17th of March.
Among the over 45 Nigerians that have indicated their interest in the Side Event are Nigerians in the diaspora, led by former African Champion, Femi Awowade, who is also a Scrabble Hall of Fame nominee.
Ayotunde Adeyeri and Fidelis Bruce-Olotu are other Nigerians in the diaspora who have throw their hands in, for the titanic, gripping and equally grueling rounds of games.
Two other Scrabble Hall of Fame nominees, Segun Adegbenro of Nigeria and Ghana’s Michael Ofori, a former President of PANASA and also a Hall Fame nominee are battle be ready for the heavyweight wordsmith confrontation.
Meanwhile, the World English Scrabble Players Association, (WESPA), has nominated Lukman Owolabi, an executive committee member to represent them at the African Games and we understand that Owolabi will be competing for honours and bragging rights at the event.
The side event put together by the Pan African Scrabble Association, (PANASA), in conjunction with the Scrabble Association of Ghana, (SCAG), was initially open to fifty participants but it has been expanded to 80 players due to huge entries received so far for the competition.
The President of PANASA, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, further noted that about 2,500 dollars has been set aside as prize money with the winner smiling home with 1,000 dollars and half that amount goes to the second placed player.
Adekoyejo Adegbesan, who is also the chairman of Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), stated that the side event is part of the continental governing body of the game of words to add panache as well as drive the growth of the sports.
“As many already know, our sport will feature at the 13th African Games in Ghana some weeks from now. To ensure we give members of our community an opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking event, we have decided to host a side event alongside the games of the championship.” Adegbesan noted.
The tech expert who is 15 months old as the boss of PANASA further explained, “Players for the side event will be added to the Accreditation list and will be considered as athletes partaking in the games. Such players will at all times wear their Accreditation badges throughout the games. There is a deadline for submission of your Form B. This deadline is sacrosanct to allow the LOC complete their own documentation.” Adegbesan who knows in the scrabble circuit as Sheikh stressed.
The 13th African Games Scrabble Main Event will see competitive Scrabble played between Male and Female Teams. Each country (except the host who are allowed more) will produce a Team of 3 players each for their Men and Female Team.
Countries that do not have a male and female team are allowed to come with either. PANASA will be providing everything free for players in this category.
The Side Event is also part of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), 30th year anniversary celebration.
