October 13, 2011
Nigeria is not participating in this year's World Scrabble Championship holding from 11th-16th October 2011 in Warsaw Poland. Visa applications for the team met a brickwall at the Polish embassy, despite the team presenting the necessary documents for visa applications. The Sec. General of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation broke the news via a press release sent via email (reproduced below) to the members this morning.
The Nigerian Contingent to the World Scrabble Championship were denied entry visas to Poland yesterday (10th October 2011), which was the last day the contingent could depart for the event; which starts holds from the 11th of October - 16th October 2011.
The refusal was despite the embassy being provided with all the necessary/ relevant documents including a note verbale from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and also a letter of Introduction from the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The contingent was refused entry visas even though visa applications were submitted since on the 19th of September 2011 (22 days ago).
This act is viewed as a deliberate attempt at preventing Nigeria from participating in the World Scrabble Championship which has never happened before!
JAMES EAKYNS
Secretary General
