August 8, 2024
The 4th edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship is set to take place next month in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. Scheduled from the 23rd to the 25th of August 2024, this highly anticipated event will be hosted at the Biriye Conference Centre of the Golden Tulip Hotel in Onopa, Yenagoa. The championship is known for drawing the finest Scrabble players across Nigeria and is expected to be a thrilling competition.
This year's championship will feature five categories: Masters, Intermediate, Veterans, Opens, and a special category for students based in Bayelsa State. Additionally, there are special prizes designated for female players. A total of 6.5 million naira has been set aside as prize money, with the Most Valuable Player in the Masters category standing to win a sum of 750,000 naira along with a trophy.
The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association (BYSA), Mr. Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the new dates for the event following consultations with the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF). Originally scheduled for July 27 and 28, the championship was postponed due to logistical reasons. Mr. Alabrah assured that preparations are underway to ensure a smooth and successful tournament, which is expected to be the best since the championship's inception in 2021.
The current African Scrabble champion, Enoch Nwali, won the Masters category in last year's edition. With the increased prize money and heightened anticipation, this year’s competition is set to be even more exciting, attracting top talent from across the country.
DATE - Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August, 2024.
VENUE - Dappa Biriye Conference Centre, Golden Tulip Hotel, Onopa, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Registration (at nominal) closes on Wednesday 21st August, 2024 (at midnight). There would be allowance for Late Registration on Thursday 22nd August, 2024 only. However, late registration would attract the following penalties:
All Current WESPA & NSF Rules will apply, except otherwise stated. There will be 25 minutes will be allotted each player per Game/Round.
Dictionary: Collins Scrabble Words Dictionary, 2021.
Scrabble Players that have paid their obligatory Player Annual Subscriptions through duly Affiliated Clubs for 2024/2025 Scrabble season.
Note: Defaulting players are liable to a Fine of ₦5,000.0 (otherwise they make payments for their Club Affiliation/Annual Subscription) before being admitted to participate in the Tournament.
The tournament shall be NSF rated.
Bank transfer to: BAYELSA SCRABBLE ASSOCIATION Zenith Bank - 1214067584
Please note: Every player is admonished to come along with a complete set of basic Standard (and clean) Scrabble Equipment/Paraphernalia (at the least), of which must include:
The Equipment items listed above are to be submitted at the tournament venue a day before Tournament commencement (i.e. on Friday 23rd August, 2024) or on Tournament day (i.e. on Saturday 24th August, 2024) - before 8.30am as all games shall commence by 9.00am prompt.
