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Scrabble Time: All set for National Scrabble Championship on August 6

By Allsports.com.gh
Sports News Scrabble Time: All set for National Scrabble Championship on August 6
AUG 2, 2016 LISTEN

The 6th & 7th of August, 2016 promises to be an exciting weekend as Accra hosts the 2016 National Scrabble Championship under the auspices of the Scrabble Association of Ghana (SCAG) and the National Sports Council of Ghana.

This 2016 edition of the annual tournament is expected to be the biggest scrabble festival organised in Ghana so far. It will bring players, interested persons and other stakeholders from the length and breadth of the country to battle for honours, trophies, medals and some awesome prizes, as well as discuss the way forward for the development of the game.

The Scrabble Association of Ghana has announced intentions to use this year's national tournament as a springboard to drive a campaign to develop the board game in the country. The association intends to roll out some programmes, events and projects lined up to whip up interest.

Speaking at the launch of the 2016 edition of the National Scrabble Tournament, National President George Addo expressed great optimism at this year's event indicating it will be the dawn of a new age of Scrabble in Ghana. He, however, bemoaned the low level of development of the game that undoubtedly has great potential to developing creative, critical and analytical skills of individuals.

According to him 'a lot more people in countries like Nigeria amongst others had taken a keener interest in developing this lesser-known sport.' 'This, however, isn't so in Ghana', he added. He also noted that one of the major challenges stifling the development of the game in Ghana was the lack of sponsorship drive and inexistence of scrabble clubs or meetings to keep the enthusiasm alive.

According to him, it will require the collective effort of all players and stakeholders to drive this agenda of promoting the game.

He called on corporate bodies, NGOs, individuals and government to investment and sponsor the association in its quest to develop the game.

The National Scrabble Tournament will be a platform unearth talents and select players who will represent Ghana at international games and tournaments.

Speaking on the upcoming tournament, SCAG President George Addo said: 'it is not enough for players to continue playing in their rooms, offices, on special occasions or on their smartphones when there is an opportunity out there to participate in a national tournament'.

'Come and meet new people, make contacts, network, let us unearth new talents to keep the game alive', he added.

George Addo also debunked the myth that the tournament was targeted at advanced players. According to him, 'since it is the biggest scrabble event on our calendar, it affords us the opportunity to build the Scrabble community'. 'From day-one novice to the most advanced player, there is a place for you in the national tournament', he added.

He went further to edge teachers, parents and guardians to introduce their kids and students to Scrabble as it is 'the surest way to develop vocabulary and arithmetic through a game'.

The 2016 National Scrabble Championship is open to the general public and sponsored by National Communication Authority (NCA).

The tournament comes off at the Media Centre at the Theodosia Hockey Stadium on 6th and 7th August 2016 at 9 am.

There will be three divisions; Masters, Intermediate and Amateurs.

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