The new Collins word list aka CSW19 will be out in May 2019, WESPA Dictionary Committee announced recently. WESPA Chairman, Elie Dangoor confirmed that the guide date for adoption in WESPA related events is July 1st 2019 and member associations are 'free to choose their own adoption date, although we would expect them to comply for WESPA rated events, especially international ones' in an interview on the WESPA website.
The Nigeria Scrabble Federation Technical Director, Faruq Baba-Inna has confirmed July 1st as the official adoption date for all Scrabble events in Nigeria.
A total of 2,862 (two thousand eight hundred and sixty-two) new words will be added into CSW19 while 29 words are to be deleted from the current (CSW15) list. The total number of words in CSW19 will be 279496 according to WESPA Dictionary Committee Chair, Darryl Francis in the interview. Dictionary Committee member, David Sutton confirms that an Initiation Kit will be made available in electronic (.pdf) form on May 2nd this year.
The new additions include 3 (three) new two-letter words like EW, ZE and OK and 6 (six) new three-letter words. EW (used to express disgust) and OK (all right) are adoptions from The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary 6th edition (OSPD6), while ZE (used as a gender-neutral third person) was adopted from the 2018 edition of Collins English Dictionary. According to Darryl, the new words are from three sources.
Sources : Collins Dictionary, Hasbro Scrabble Tools and WESPA
The following players have been invited to the first of four Nigeria Scrabble Federation camping toward the WESPAC tournament holding in Goa later this year. They have until January 15, 2019, to respond and signify their intent to participate by contacting the National coach or the Technical Director.
Also, wildcards have been extended to the following persons
Date: January 24 - 28, 2019.
Arrival Date: January 24, 2019.
Venue: NLNG Bonny
Number of games: 40
Round 1 - 2: SWISS Pairings
Round 3 - 34: Lagged Pairings
Round 35 - 40: KOTH Pairings
WESPA Rules Version 3 applies for the duration.
Scrabble Meet Selection Series reemerges with Four Meets to be played between January – May 2019 with the following on the outlook:
The following Clubs/Associations have agreed in principle to collaborate and be the host.
Hosting Clubs/States will be given a minimum of Four Wildcards. These wildcards will be extended to selected outstanding players in club retreats, tournaments, etc. All the 4 editions of the Scrabble Meet to be rated by NSF. Top 12 male and 3 female players will be invited for each of the Editions of the Scrabble Meet according to updated ratings. All invited players must attest to NSF Code of Conduct/Exclusive rules to participate at any of the Scrabble Meet Editions and must be fully licensed before they can participate. NSF to provide full media coverage.
After the 4th edition, the top 6 provided they remain in the top 10 after the rating must have been administered in cognizance with cumulative performances from the Four Editions and the 7th slot goes to the best female player to arise from the Series. May, June and July 2019 will be probationary test period for the 7 selected players (6 male & 1 female) that must keep their form or be replaced by the next in line player. Invited players to register with a token of N2,000.00 (optional) at the venue of each of the Editions. To qualify to represent Nigeria such a player must be consistent in the top 6 for Male Players as per NSF Ratings and cumulatively at the end of 4 Qualifying Scrabble Meet Series. The same applies to the top/most consistent female player.
The 7 qualified players selected will be on a probationary period of 3 months where their performances will be thoroughly monitored and their general conduct, carriage, and behaviour closely followed within the same period of time. Every other necessary means to check on the preparedness and abilities of the players will strictly be followed and implemented.
Prince Anthony Ikolo
National Scrabble Coach
