Gateway Scrabble Club (SC) of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State has emerged as the champion of the highly prestigious 2025 NSF InterClub Scrabble Championship. In a commanding performance at the finals, Gateway SC, led by veteran Masters player Cyril Umebiye, outclassed the surprise finalists Yenagoa SC from Bayelsa State with a 4–1 victory, amassing a cumulative score of +1204 points.
Displaying remarkable team strength, Gateway SC notched up 20 wins out of 25 games. Current African champion Oluwatimilehin Doko led the charge with 5 wins and a +618 points margin. His teammate Abdulmumin Jimoh, also a national team player, secured 5 wins and +591 points. Rising star David Ojih and Hakeem Ogundokun dropped just one game each, while Captain Umebiye wrapped up with two wins and a -243 cumulative. Yenagoa SC’s players managed only a win each, with Ezekiel Eniekebi finishing with the highest point deficit of -350.
Gateway SC clinched the title in grand style, winning matches 1 and 2 by 4–1, narrowly losing match 3 (2–3), before sealing the championship with a flawless 5–0 in match 4. The team’s captain credited their success to strong management and generous support from the club’s chairman, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, who ensured players were well catered for throughout the tournament. “Our focus has always been on the game, thanks to the solid welfare structure put in place,” said Umebiye.
Benin City SC secured third place by defeating Central Scrabble Club A of Abuja, captained by Francis Molokwu. The InterClub MVP title went to Oluwatimilehin Doko, who also contributed to Team Ogun’s triumph in the Asaph Zadok National Championship. National coach Sir Anthony Ikolo praised youngsters David Ojih (Gateway SC) and David Yuwa (Central SC A) as standout talents. At the closing ceremony, George Ezinore was honored with the NSF Green Jacket and awarded ₦100,000 by the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Enabulele.
Edo State’s George Ezinore has emerged champion of the prestigious 2025 Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, solidifying his place among Nigeria’s elite wordsmiths. The tournament, hosted at Florence Hotel and Suites in Benin City, Edo State, featured Nigeria's finest, including African champion Oluwatimilehin Doko, former NSF Green Jacket holder Dipo Akanbi, and seasoned champion John Aiyedun. Ezinore's remarkable consistency saw him finish with 20 wins, one draw, and a cumulative score of +922 from 28 games, edging out Rivers State's Larry Etuwa, who recorded 19 wins.
Representing Ogun State, Samuel Adebola secured third place with 18 wins and a higher cumulative of +1236 points, narrowly surpassing Oyo State’s Jamiu Kareem, who also had 18 wins but a lower cumulative of +525. Ezinore’s commanding performance saw him dominate from game 13 through to the final round, a testament to his preparation and focus amidst stiff competition from top-ranked players.
After several close attempts in previous years, Ezinore expressed fulfillment at finally capturing the coveted NSF Green Jacket. He dedicated his victory to scrabble players in Edo State and the Edo State Sports Commission, whose support he described as pivotal. “This win proves that consistent investment in sports yields great results. I’m proud to bring this honor home to Edo,” he shared. His near-miss at the recent Niger Delta Sports Festival only fueled his determination for this historic win.
The Awards and Gala Night on Thursday 17th of April saw Ezinore officially decorated with the Green Jacket. In the team event, Ogun State claimed top honors, followed by Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Edo State Sports Commission, under Honourable Desmond Enabulele’s leadership, was also commended for fostering sports development and enabling a thriving competitive environment.
Date: Tuesday, 1st - Sunday, 6th April 2025
Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
| S/No | Category | Rating Catchment | Age Categorization | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Masters | 1400 and above | Not Applicable | NSF Rated |
| 2 | Opens | 0 - 1099 | 25 years and below | - |
| 3 | Female | Not Applicable | 25 years and below | - |
| 4 | NDSF Mega Special | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | NSF Rated |
Game Rules: All current WESPA & NSF Rules will apply during the festival unless otherwise stated.
Time Allotment:
- Singles/Doubles: 25 minutes per player per game/round.
- NDSF Mega Special: 20 minutes per player per game/round.
Dictionary: Collins Scrabble Words Dictionary, 2024.
| Day | Time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0 (Monday, 31st March) | All day | Arrivals | Arrival of participants (NSF officials, state players, and stakeholders) |
| Day 1 (Tuesday, 1st April) | 10.00 – 17.00 | Accreditations | Screening and accreditation of state athletes |
| Day 2 (Wednesday, 2nd April) | 10.00 – 12.00 | Meeting | Technical meeting with state officials |
| Day 3 (Thursday, 3rd April) | 08.00 – 09.00 | Games | Round 1 (Singles Event) |
| Day 4 (Friday, 4th April) | 08.00 – 09.00 | Games | Round 10 (Singles Event) |
| Day 5 (Saturday, 5th April) | 08.00 – 09.00 | Games | Round 4 (Doubles Event) |
| Day 6 (Sunday, 6th April) | 08.00 – 08.50 | Games | Round 1 (NDSF Mega Special) |
| Day 7 (Monday, 7th April) | 09.00 – 11.00 | Training | NSF Tournament Directors’ Training - Session 1 |
| Day 8 (Tuesday, 8th April) | 09.00 – 11.00 | Training | Session 4 (NSF Tournament Directors) |
| Day 9 (Wednesday, 9th April) | All day | Departures | Departure of NSF officials and resource persons |
Stay tuned for updates on the event and results as the festival progresses!
