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Gambia, Ghana Hit Lagos Ahead West African Scrabble Championship

Two of the four of the countries expected to grace the subregion Championship, The Gambia and Ghana touched down at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria in the early hours of Tuesday.


The Ghanaian contingent led by an Executive Committee member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) who also doubles as the President of the Scrabble Association of Ghana, Haruna Adamu, moved straight to Novatel Hotel, Lekki venue of the championship.


Similarly, The Gambians who landed in Lagos on the wings of Air Peace are already acclimatizing with the weather and Nigeria’s local dishes.


The Chairman of the Accommodation and Venue Sub Committee of the Championship, Bright Idahosa, said, Novatel Hotel, Lekki was chosen because of its serine and luxurious setting coupled with its first-class services.


“We want our players and our visitors from the West Coast to feel at home and enjoy the very best of Nigerian hospitality while here. The Hall for the competition is spacious and tournament friendly.” Idahosa said.


Members of Team Nigeria who are camping at the Woodpeckers Garden in Yaba will be moving into the championship hotel on Wednesday.
The much-anticipated West African Scrabble Championship (WASC) will begin Thursday, June 22 held in Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria.


According to the Woodpeckers Garden Hotel manager, Mr Abdul Fatai, he gave the assurance of offering quality service to the players ahead of the championship billed to start Thursday, June 22, 2023.


He gave a hint of the preparedness of the players, saying that since their arrival, the players have been in utmost readiness to give the topmost display for the board games.


Among the West African countries, the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has named a 21-man strong team for the forthcoming West African Scrabble Championship (WASC)
The team list is headed by the winner of the PANASA President’s Cup, Godwin Victor.


Others in the list include former World Champion and two-time African King, Wellington Jighere, who leads the list of the super heavyweight wordsmith in the 21-man contingent that also includes the current African Scrabble supremo Enoch Nwali.


Four other African Champions also made the roaster. They’re Nsikak Etim of Shell Scrabble Club of Port Harcourt, Moses Peter of Uyo SC, Rex Ogbakpa of Sapele SC and two-time African King Dennis Ikekeregor also from Sapele SC.


The defending champion Eta Karo leads the three players from Warri Scrabble Club in Team Nigeria. Emmanuel Umujose and Godwin Victor is the other Warri Scrabble Club member who will be representing Nigeria at the championship.


Team Nigeria is beefed up with young and talented wordsmith Doko Oluwatimilehin a final-year pharmacy student at the University of Lagos and a key member of the all-conquering Hurricane SC. Doko narrowly missed the top prize at the end of the MGI Grand Slam tournament in Lagos last month.


Twelve thousand dollars has been set aside as prize money for the individual and team events of the championship and the prize money pool of the individual category is for the top ten and top three for the team event.


The Technical Director of the second edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC), John Curtis who doubles as the Chairman of the Sub Committee Technical and Tournament Logistics, says the West Africa Championship is a 28-game competition. 1 random, 22 lagged and 5 king of the hill pairings.


Eta Karo of Nigeria is the defending champion in the individual category while Nigeria holds the team event diadem won in Accra, the Ghanaian capital last year.

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Funke Oshonaike Makes History As First Nigerian Appointed To The IOC Athletes’ Commission

Funke Oshonaike celebrating during a table tennis match representing Nigeria

Nigerian sports just bagged another major win — and this time it’s thanks to one of the country’s most enduring legends, Funke Oshonaike.
The seven-time Olympian has officially become the first Nigerian ever appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission, cementing her status as one of Africa’s most influential voices in global sports.

This historic announcement came as IOC President Kirsty Coventry appointed five new members to reinforce the commission ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Oshonaike now joins an elite group of global athletes including:

  • Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (Iran, Badminton)

  • Husein Alireza (Saudi Arabia, Rowing)

  • Cheick Sallah Cissé (Côte d’Ivoire, Taekwondo)

  • Mariana Pajón (Colombia, Cycling)

“I’m Excited, And My Efforts Were Noticed” — Oshonaike Reacts

For Oshonaike, this moment is more than an appointment — it is a dream fulfilled.

In her words:

“I am so excited because during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign, I was impressed by the huge support from my country and athletes across the world.”

She added:

“This appointment confirms that my efforts did not go unnoticed. It has been my dream to impact the sport that has given me the rare opportunity to live well in life.”

And truly, if anyone has earned that seat, it’s Oshonaike — a woman who represented Nigeria in seven consecutive Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020. That’s not just consistency; that’s greatness on autopilot.

IOC President Applauds The New Class

IOC President Kirsty Coventry highlighted the importance of the Athletes’ Commission in shaping the Olympic Movement:

“The Athletes’ Commission is essential in making sure athletes remain at the heart of everything we do.”

With the latest appointments, the commission now includes 23 members, representing athletes from across continents and from both summer and winter sports. Impressively, it maintains its gender balance with 13 women and 10 men.

The body ensures that athletes’ voices — from grassroots to the global stage — influence top-level decisions in the Olympic ecosystem.

Why Funke Oshonaike’s Appointment Matters

This milestone hits differently for Nigeria and Africa at large:

  • It elevates Nigeria’s influence in global sports governance.

  • It positions African athletes more strongly in Olympic policymaking.

  • It shows that dedication, longevity, and excellence always get rewarded.

For a legend who has been inspiring young African athletes for nearly three decades, this is the perfect continuation of her legacy.

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Fikayo Tomori Explains Why He Chose England Over Nigeria

Fikayo Tomori in England national team jersey

AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has opened up on his decision to represent England on the international stage, explaining that the Nigerian Football Federation never officially contacted him.

Tomori, who initially represented Canada at youth level, later switched allegiance to England, earning five senior caps to date. While several English youth internationals with Nigerian heritage, including Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman, have opted for the Super Eagles, Tomori’s path led him to the Three Lions.

Tomori On His Decision

Speaking on the Filthy Fellas Podcast, Tomori outlined how England reached out after his stint with Canada’s youth team:

“I was playing for the Canada youth team, but about four months later, the England Academy manager reached out about the possibility of switching over. The next international break, England called me, and I knew I had to go. I thought if I said no, would I ever get a call-up again?”

He added that the transition felt natural because many of his Chelsea teammates, like Tammy Abraham, were already in the England setup.

“It didn’t feel different [from Canada] because all my friends were in there… it felt like Chelsea again,” Tomori said.

Nigeria’s Missed Opportunity

Tomori admitted that if Nigeria had made an approach, he might have considered playing for the Super Eagles.

“If it was Nigeria, I’d have gone,” he stated.

However, he clarified that no official call ever came, leaving him with no real choice.

“Would I have changed to Nigeria from England? I don’t know because at the time, I was playing for Chelsea, so I thought I would play for England. It’s not like I wouldn’t have played there, but they never called me, so I never had a choice to make.”

As Tomori continues to establish himself in Serie A with Milan, he now focuses on securing a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, hoping to make his mark on football’s biggest stage.

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Wilfred Ndidi Backed By Sunday Oliseh As The Next Super Eagles Captain

Sunday Oliseh Supports Wilfred Ndidi For Super Eagles Captaincy

The conversation around the future leadership of the Super Eagles just got louder—and a lot more interesting.
Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has openly declared his preferred choice for the next captain… and his pick is none other than midfield powerhouse Wilfred Ndidi.

With William Troost-Ekong officially hanging up his international boots, the captain’s armband is now up for grabs. But if Oliseh had his way? The decision is easy.

Why Oliseh Wants Ndidi To Lead Nigeria

On his podcast, Oliseh Insight, the former Juventus and Dortmund star explained why Ndidi stands out among all current Super Eagles players. According to him, the Leicester-turned-Besiktas midfielder commands massive respect, shows unmatched professionalism, and consistently gives his all every game.

Oliseh put it plainly:

“At the moment, I think nobody doubts the respect the players have for Ndidi. And he’s a player that plays every game.”

This isn’t surprising. Ndidi has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable midfielders—calm, disciplined, hardworking, and battle-tested.

Leadership To Match The Moment

Oliseh, known for bold captaincy calls (remember when he chose Musa over Mikel?), believes Nigeria’s next skipper must be more than a figurehead.
To him, the Super Eagles need a leader who:

  • Inspires the squad

  • Commands respect naturally

  • Communicates effectively

  • Represents the team with integrity

  • Leads on and off the pitch—not just someone who follows NFF instructions

In his words, the armband shouldn’t just be decorative. It should mean direction, strength, and identity. And Ndidi, in his view, fits that profile perfectly.

A New Era For The Super Eagles?

The timing of this debate couldn’t be more crucial. Nigeria is gearing up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they’ll face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C.

Leadership matters in tournaments. Momentum matters. And the right captain could set the tone for the entire journey toward Morocco.

Will Ndidi rise as the next leader?
Will the NFF agree with Oliseh?
Or will another name emerge from the squad?

Whatever happens, the conversation is officially on—and the sports world is paying attention.

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