The Scrabble Gladiators WESPA Virtual Scrabble World Championship has been scheduled to hold from the 20th November to 5th December 2021 via the Woogles online Scrabble platform. In respect of the above, the following are criteria for the selection of players to be invited to participate in a qualifier from whence 7 players would be selected (as allotted) to represent Nigeria at the inaugural tournament.

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Modalities/Rules For Selection

Invitees

1. Top 15 Players as indicated by the current National Scrabble Ratings.
2. 5 Players would be awarded Wild Cards (from a pool of Female/Youths Players and any other player deemed to possess the potential to excel in online Scrabble)

The Rating cut-off date for the selection of invitees is 18th October 2021.

Note: Players that have been inactive on the Nigerian Scrabble Circuit in the last 6 months shall not be eligible for selection, irrespective of ratings as indicated on the National Rating List.

Requirements

Basic requirements by players for effective participation shall include:

1. Access to functional Laptop computers and Android Phones
2. Uninterrupted Internet Access for effective participation
3. Attestation to a "Code of Conduct" which prescribes observance of  "Good behavior" and sportsmanship.

No. Of Games

A total of 20 games shall be played over 2 days for the purpose of this qualifier.

• Day 1 (Saturday, 23rd October 2021): - 10 games
• Day 2 (Sunday, 24th October 2021: - 10 games

Time Allotment

15 minutes will be allocated to each player per game/round.

Game Rules

The WESPA Virtual Scrabble Tournament Rules shall be used for the purpose of the qualifier (see Tournament link: - https://bit.ly/3BmUJsV).

Team Selection

1. Games played on Days 1 and 2, respectively, shall be rated specifically (albeit independently) for the purpose of the qualifier.
2. The average of respective placements from games played on days 1 and 2 shall be used to determine the Final Placements.
3. The best-placed Player (1st) after completion of games played gets to be selected automatically.
4. The next best placed 6 Players after completion of games played also get to be selected, albeit with a Proviso: Such player MUST fall within the top 12 Ratings (from the localized Ratings to be carried out specifically for the qualifier).

Please note: Further necessary information would be communicated to all (and subsequently,
Invitees and successful qualifiers) as they develop.

John Curtis
Technical Director – NSF