Africa Scrabble on the rise Speaking exclusively to nigeriasports.com Ikekeregor said the Championship was a tough nut to crack. “It was tougher than most people would readily admit. Africans are good on the word game as attested by the former champion. I believe my new status, as African Champion would spur me on to achieve bigger results. Towards this end, I have my sights on the next World Championships expected to be hosted by either Canada or South Africa next year,” Ikekeregor told nigeriasports.com Ikekeregor who said he started playing Scrabble since 1996 won five local tournaments on the way to the African title last week and believes the games is growing in Nigeria with better prospects. “I’m happy with the rising profile of Scrabble in Nigeria. There are tournaments in the country now, although they are still too few in between, but over all, it is an encouraging development that would even grow bigger.” Fears “My biggest worry was the prospect of meeting a fellow Nigerian at the final because this would be my second final appearance. "I finished as runner up in the 1998 edition and didn’t want to lose this year again. But just then, I made up my mind that ‘this is my opportunity to become the African Champion’ so I decided to give it my very best,” Ikekeregor told nigeriasports.com Moshood Sanni, the Nigerian he defeated to win the title also told nigeriasports.com that “it was a tough Championship” and praised the Tanzania organisation “for hosting an excellent event.” Sanni whose World ranking before the championships was 18, also believes the game “would receive a bigger boost in Nigeria with our success in Tanzania.” Ikekeregor who went to the East African country ranked 31st was like the “rejected stone becoming the cornerstone of the house.” He told nigeriasports.com “they almost rejected my entry because the Nigerian Association based entries on World rankings. But I was only admitted based on my last performances and I thank God for this divine providence.” There were a total of four Nigerians in the top 10 finishing of the African Championships. By Onyinyechi Anyanwu 0
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