Avwenagha wins inaugural Gov Diri national scrabble tourney

Oshevire Avwenagha has emerged as the winner of the Master’s category of the inaugural Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The Delta State-born player recorded 11 wins with a plus 617 cumulative spread to win the trophy and N500,000  prize money.

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Avwenagha who is ranked third in the country topped two other Delta State players, Eta Karo who is ranked second to leave him in the second position in the tournament while Okiemute Tegha came third.

Raji Kazeem of Oyo State won the Intermediate category competition while Tariye Alari of Bayelsa was the winner in the Opens event, just as Engineer Ojior Osikhena was the winner in the Veterans category

Also, the school’s title was clinched by 16-year-old Ikoko David of Federal Government College, Odi, Bayelsa State who edged out 8-year old prodigy, Deborah Quickpen.

Others who won in respective categories were Tuoyo Mayuku, Akpos Malafakumo, and Priscillia  Akabue.

Declaring the Championship closed, Governor Douye Diri reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa State government in using sports to develop the skills and talent of the youths.

Diri who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated that Bayelsa has over the years recorded landmark achievements and contributed to the sport’s development of the country.

He stressed the need to establish a Scrabble club in schools across the State to catch the children young and get meaningfully engage in scrabble game.

President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Suleiman Gora and Chairman of Bayelsa State Scrabble Association, Daniel Alabrah urged the government to encourage the development of the sport in schools across the state.

Over 300 players participated in five categories: Masters, Intermediate, Open, Schools and Veterans in the three-day tournament.