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SCRABBLE NEWS: •  UNILAG 500-level undergraduate, Doko emerges West Africa Scrabble Champion ...Gets $2000 cash prize as Nigeria retains team title ahead of The Gambia By Dotun Omisakin and Maxwell Kumoye  A 500-level undergraduate of the University of Lagos, UNILAG  Doko Oluwatimilehin on Saturday emerged as the winner of the second edition of the West African Scrabble Championship, (WASC) which took place in Lagos. Doko, who missed the African Scrabble Championship in Lusaka, Zambia and the last World Scrabble Championship held in Las Vegas, Nevada USA in July won 19 and lost nine rounds of games to garnered a cumulative spread of +1163 points. The pharmacy student of the University of Lagos had an impressive run at the three day Championship, he ended Day 1 on top of the log with 9 wins ahead of George Ezinore and Oluwatimilehin Doko and George Ezinore secured 15 wins each at the end of Day 2 but Ezinore had a better cumulative of plus 1243 points. At the start of the ...

SCRABBLE NEWS: •  Nigeria did a very wonderful job hosting - Haruna Adamu By Mishael Emmanuel                The President of Scrabble Association of Ghana (SCAG) said he is happy that the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), is hosting West Africa's premium scrabble competition, the 2nd edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC), and he was satisfied both with the serene environment at the Novatel Hotels, Lekki, Lagos and the overwhelming welcome they received.    The President of the governing body of scrabble in the former Gold Coast, stated in an interview with your authoritative scrabble news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG emphasizing that he was extremely happy with the entire arrangement, "I'm very glad to be here and I must say the welcome was very overwhelming. For us to continue the 2nd edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC), is very overwhelming, but we also want to keep the flame b...

  WASC DAY ONE:  Unilag 500-level undergraduate, Doko leads players' standing after 11 rounds By Dotun Omisakin A 500-level undergraduate of the University of Lagos, UNILAG  Doko Oluwatimileyin is leading the players' standings after eleven rounds at the end of day one of the second edition of the West African Scrabble Championship, WASC on Thursday November, 23 2023. Doko, who was denied a visa to represent Team Nigeria at the last World Scrabble Championship held in May, 2023, won nine and lost two rounds to garnered a cumulative spread of +738 points to sit at the top of the players standing. Behind Doko is Odok Anthony, who won eight and three matches with a cumulative spread +586 points to stay in second position. Nigeria dominance continues as Ezinnore George, Peter Moses, Etim Nsitak, Igbinador Ngero, Wellington Jighere, Okiemute Tega occupy the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eight positions respectively while Ghana's Ubiedi finished on the ten position. ...

SCRABBLE JAMZ: •  Nigeria's Sports Minister, Senator Enoh to close the second edition of West Africa Scrabble Championship ...Team Nigeria goes into the final day as leaders in the individual and team events  By Dotun Omisakin and Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria's Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh will grace the closing ceremony of the second edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship which ends in Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday  The head of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) Engineer Toke Aka disclosed this to the WASC media team on Friday, after the end of day two of the championship. Engr. Aka who doubles as the President Nigeria Scrabble Federation, NSF stressed that the minister has assured to send a representative on his behalf, saying that results from the two days have proven to the testament of Nigeria being the powerhouse of Scrabble in Africa. "The way it is going, Nigerians are dominating, I don't expect surprises, what we should be asking ourselves is...

SCRABBLE JAMZ: •  The Gambia to host 3rd West Africa Scrabble Championship, WASC edition By Dotun Omisakin The Gambia will host the third edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship, WASC scheduled to hold in 2024, the head of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the second edition Championship (WASC) Engineer Toke Aka has disclosed. Engr. Aka who doubles as the President Nigeria Scrabble Federation, NSF stated this during the opening ceremony of the second edition Championship (WASC) taking place at Novatel Hotel in Lagos.  He appreciated contingents from  English-speaking countries in the West Africa sub-region participating in the championship, saying that existence of the championship is a testament to the common goal each countries share together. "This is something we will all like to see continue as it started in Ghana last year, now the turn of Nigeria. We all agreed it will be rotating among the five recognized counties that are playing English scrabble in...

  SCRABBLE JAMZ: •  Our preparation can not be any better - NSF President Toke Aka By Mishael Emmanuel              All is set for the second edition of West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC) holding on Thursday November 23, at the luxurious Novatel Hotels, Lekki, Lagos, South-West Nigeria and the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) High Chief Engineer Toke Aka says they are more than ready to host the west african sub-region and defend the crown they won a years ago in Accra, Ghana.    Engineer Toke Aka, made this submission during an interview with Nigerian Television Channel, TVC on Wednesday, stating that "Team Nigeria is well prepared and he can't say our preparation can be better."    When asked about Team Nigeria's chances at the three-day championship, Engineer Toke Aka who also doubles as an Executive Board Member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) noted that every...

  Former Shooting Stars Coach Bags UEFA Coaching License Through M&N Coaching Education Department The dividend of the M&N coaching education department is gradually becoming obvious the former Shooting Stars coach Kolawole Abon bagged a UEFA B Coaching License. M&N Company under Japan-based Bolarinwa Obalola Kobayashi has been committed to the development of coaches at the grassroots. And coaching course has been organised for the intending coaches online with a qualified coaching instructor across the World. In his playing days, Kolawole played for Femo Scorpion, Railway FC, Nipost FC etc before switching to a coaching career. The soft-spoken coach started his coaching career with NNPC in 1997 before joining Shooting Stars of Ibadan where he worked as an assistant coach until 2005. He moved to South Africa in 2005 where he worked with 3 different clubs: Manager FC Durban, African Warriors and Ekaya FC also in Durban. The coach who is now based in Canada is well travel...

 SCRABBLE JAMZ : •  The Gambia and Ghana land in Lagos for West African Scrabble Championship ...Move into Novatel Hotel, Lekki venue of the competition By Mishael Emmanuel and Dotun Omisakin       Two of the four of the countries expected to grace the sub region Championship, The Gambia and Ghana touched at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, South West, Nigeria in the early hours of Tuesday. The Ghanaian contingent led by an Executive Committee member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) who also doubles as the President of Scrabble Association of Ghana, Haruna Adamu, moved straight to Novatel Hotel, Lekki venue of the championship. Similarly, The Gambians who landed in Lagos on the wings of Air Peace are already acclimatizing with the weather and Nigeria's local dishes. The Chairman of the Accommodation and Venue Sub Committee of the Championship, Bright Idahosa, said, Novatel Hotel, Lekki was chosen because of it...

Pitch Expert Proffers Solutions To Super Eagles Unimpressive Performances At Home Games Few football stakeholders have attributed the Super Eagles' inability to secure the three points against Lesotho in last Thursday's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier to the not too good enough pitch of Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Concerned sports enthusiasts have however called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF to ensure a safer and durable pitches for Super Eagles to thrive, especially for home games. Certified pitch construction expert and chief executive officer of Monimichelle Pitch Construction Company, Ebi Egbe stated that the Super Eagles were unable to adjust to the nature of the pitch provided for that encounter. "Our boys will always find it difficult to adjust to slow pace football in just a few days of training. Our foreign legions are used to speed football". Egbe added that the Nest of Champions pitch needs adequate maintenanc...

Monimitchelle Offers To Solve Problematic State Of MKO Stadium In Abuja   Senator John Owan Enoh, the new Minister of Sports Development, recently stated that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja has the potential to become the premier stadium in all of Africa. During his stint as minister, Sunday Dare oversaw significant facility repairs, but his successor thinks the stadium is still in poor condition. However, the Chief Executive Officer of Monimitchelle Sports Facility Construction Company, Ebi Egbe has offered to permanently sort out the poor state of the main pitch of the stadium in Abuja if given the job. The professional stadium construction expert disclosed that the bane of sports facilities in the country is the lack of maintenance culture. "Only good pitches can guarantee good results on matchdays and so we must imbibe the maintenance culture in our system," he said. The certified sports facility expert has however expressed his willingness to offer his serv...

Okumagba Expresses Gratitude on Birthday Felicitations The Numero Uno of supporters club in Africa, Prince Vincent Okumagba  has expressed his appreciation for the many messages and well-wishes he received for his birthday. The Super Eagles Supporters Club boss was surprised by the tons of felicitations he received from sports administrators world wide. He said that his wish for a quiet birthday had been denied by the love and care that was offered by well meaning personalities around the globe. The oil magnate, emotionally declared that, this can be described as one of his best birthday celebrations going by the joy received from all and sundry. "I am grateful to the entire nation and my friends and partners abroad for celebrating me on my birthday," Okumagba emotional stated. "This goes to show they believe in me and in what we have been doing for the game for years, I am thankful for all the accolades and all the wishes and I am assuring to always make them proud and ...

Osun Utd Announce Squad For New Season Osun Utd unveiled squad for the upcoming football season, retaining the crux of the team which got the team promoted last season and won Osun State Football Association Cup. Led by skipper Abimbola Mojeed , the players walked the ramp with Coach Seye Ajayi and his support staff at Osogbo Township Stadium as the team concludes preparations toward the new season. Omoluabi Giants domicile in Conference B of Nigeria National League, NNL retains Osogbo Township Stadium as its home ground as supporters and fans are anxiously waiting for the return of second tier league in the town. The team was bolstered by the return of ex skipper, Olalere Hakeem and goal poacher, Emeka Emmanuel couple with new entrants, young sensation Ismail Rasheed, Rapheal Orngudwen, Sultan Hameed, shot stoppers, ex ABS FC goalie, Biola Sabitu, Qozeem Abiodun and former Kwara Utd goalkeeper, Subairu Suleiman made the final cut. "Consistency is the keyword in football. Our atte...

 SPORTS MINISTER PUSHES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF POLO IN NIGERIA, MEETS FEDERATION LEADERSHIP  _Ministry to provide support and boost social inclusiveness of the sport_ The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has stated his vision for the development of polo in Nigeria, following his meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF). In his bid to rejuvenate and reinvigorate sports in the country, he has continued to meet different sports federations to drive a common vision. He identified polo as a sport which receives more attention, support and enthusiasm from the Northern part of the Nigeria. He added the sport has the potential to grow and enjoy national recognition. Given the multi-level focus on grassroot development, social inclusion and the economic development trajectory of his administration, the roundtable conversation with the NPF was held on Wednesday, November 15th, to discuss the development of polo. The Minister said that...

  OGUN FA COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT Honorary Degree of Doctor Of Science: Ogun FA Congratulates Sir Kesington Adebutu The Ogun State Football Association this Friday congratulated business mogul and philanthropist, Sir. Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu CON, KJW, FISM who has been conferred with Honorary Degree of Doctor Of Science (D.Sc) by the Prestigious University of Ibadan. In a congratulatory message, the Chairman of Ogun State Football Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi felicitated the octogenarian and described as well deserved, the recognition. He said "Congratulations to Baba Adebutu, it's another feather added and very well deserved." On behalf of everyone at the Ogun State Football Association, we felicitate a man who has been a very strong pillar of support, as always, we pray to God to grant him good health all through his years". The Honorary Degree comes as part of activities marking the 75th Foundation Day of the University of Ibadan. Sir Kesington A...

 Super Eagles Supporters Club Boss Sends Message Of Hope To Super Eagles And Nigerians   President of the Super Eagles Supporters Club, Prince Vincent Okumagba has sent words of encouragement to the teaming football lovers and supporters of the Super Eagles of Nigeria on the occasion of his birthday. In his short message to Nigerians, Okumagba emphasizes the need not to give up on the team. The SESC boss, who is basking in the euphoria of his birthday, tasks Nigerians to rally round the Super Eagles in their next game against Zimbabwe - this weekend in Rwanda. According to him, hope is not lost yet as the qualification for the world cup remains a marathon. Okumagba is widely celebrated all over the world as number one supporters club boss in Africa.

Sports Stakeholders Around The World Felicitates With SESC Boss On His Birthday Prince Vincent Okumagba is being celebrated world wide by global sports stakeholders. The Super Eagles Supporters Club boss who is now being regarded as the numero uno of supporters clubs in Nigeria and Africa is a year older and his sporting friends and well wishers have sent good will messages to him. On this memorable occasion, top sports technocrats in Nigeria and abroad appreciate God for making him a global ambassador of football. Those who sent in their greetings include, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Shehu Gusau, former 1st vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi, Former chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) Mallam Shehu Dikko, former sports minister, Solomon Dalung, former coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Gernot Rohr and the Chairman of Chairmen of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Fresh to mention few. In the ...

NPFL - STARTIMES DEAL: MALLAM SHUAIBU GARA GOMBE MISLEADING THE SPORTS INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA My attention is seriously drawn to the fact that Mallam Gara Gombe clearly shows in his recent submission to the Guardian that he has ill interests and it isn't only about fighting for the interest of local football but also trying to show that he deserves to be the one leading Nigerian football through his open statements against the NPFL leadership he referred to as illegitimate in one of his recent releases. Remember, "what is good for the goose is also good for the garner." It is a fact he desires to get to the top of football leadership in Nigeria and he might feel at this point he alone has the monopoly of football administrative knowledge. Wouldn't you expect others to deliberately begin to employ similar tactics to topple your leadership too?  Gara Gombe said; quote: "Because Nigeria is a dumping ground you illegally appoint people to manage a league they know nothi...

Kogi Election: How Primate Ayodele Foretold APC’s Victory, SDP’s Surprising Performance (VIDEO) Among the off-cycle elections that were held in Nigeria over the weekend, the Kogi governorship election appears to be the most surprising based on the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Before now, the election in the state has always been between the All Progressive Congress and People Democratic Party (PDP); the APC have always come first while the PDP comes second but this time around, a surprising twist took place. In the result declared, APC came first as usual but PDP was replaced by the social democratic party (SDP) in second position. PDP came third dishonourably because the difference between the party and SDP is far above 150,000 votes. In several years, it has not happened in this manner and was not expected this year because PDP’s candidate, Dino Melaye is quite popular and was very visible during the campaign period. However, all that happ...

  W’Cup Qualifiers: Lagos IPMAN, SESC Demands Victory From Eagles To Celebrates Okumagba’s Birthday In a bid to specially celebrate the National President of the Super Eagles Supporters Club (SESC), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN) and the national executives of SESC has demand a resounding victory from the Super Eagles in their World Cup qualifiers match against Lesotho. Nigeria will take on Lesotho on Thursday, November 16 in their first game of the series at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo which coincides with the birthday of Prince Vincent Okumagba the founder of Super Eagles Supporters Club and top chieftain of IPMAN Lagos. The two bodies in separate statements issued ahead of the birthday celebration of a scion of the Okumagba family in Delta State, the Secretary General of the SESC, Francis Aguh urged the Super Eagles to record a huge win in their World Cup qualifiers match against Lesotho as a birthday gift to the Prince Vincent Okumag...

  Bolarinwa Kobayashi Obalola: Japan Based Nigerian Youth Football Coach Acquires Fresh  UEFA Pro Licence One of the highly rated youth football coaches in Japan, Bolarinwa Kobayashi Obalola has notched up his technical qualification with the acquisition of UEFA Pro License making him one of the most qualified youth football coaches in Nigeria. Obalola, who was a defender with Bosher Football Club in Muscat, Oman before moving to Japan during his playing days, has joined an elite group of coaches with the UEFA Pro Licence.  The much traveled coach recently completed his coaching badges with the Scottish Football Association less than few years after debuting as a professional football youth coach.  Coach Obalola who has acquired coaching training across Europe and America, was recently presented with his certificate with great recommendations. The Japan-based Nigerian coach, Bolarinwa Obalola also known as Kobayashi continued to make headlines in football both in Asi...

  Onyenze Elvis: Nigeria Star In Hot Demand In Europe The renewed interest in Nigerian players in Europe can only be good for the country's football development. It seems the glory days for Nigerian players are back as more European clubs keep swelling their ranks with players from this country. Budding star and Access football academy product, Onyenze Elvis is the beautiful bride on the radar of many European clubs just because of his exploits for his academy team in recent times. The 18 years old Onyenze Elvis who is the top prospect for an Abuja based Access football academy is the cynosure of all eyes for top European football clubs. The highly talented and gifted player was a couple of months ago scouted by top European scouts and is set to join an Eastern European club in the coming weeks. The player's profile and stats have risen in recent times following his impeccable performances on games played so far. The energetic winger has displayed humility and good leadership o...