By Desmond Tunde Coker
The Sierra Leone Scrabble Association has invited 17 players for intensive training ahead of the 14th edition of the Pan- African Scrabble Championship scheduled from the 21st to the 24th of October 2022 in Zambia.
The Association`s qualifiers will commence in the first week of October to select the team that will represent Sierra Leone in the Championship.
One Hundred and Fifty Two competitors are expected to participate in the Championship from South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Botswana, Gambia, Tanzania and the host nation Zambia.
Ten Scrabblers are expected to make the team from Sierra Leone, including top foreign based scrabbler Mohamed Alieu Kamara.
Secretary General of the association, Ibrahim `Monday` Conteh has confirmed to this medium that the qualifiers will give an opportunity to players to grab tickets for the championship, adding that the qualifiers will be as transparent and no player or players will be favored.
“Players will grab their tickets to Zambia on merit,” he added.
“We are not going to favor anyone. Your brain and skills on the board will be of favor to each and every player taking part in next month`s qualifiers,” he warned.
Conteh added that even though the likes of the World Super power, Nigeria will be fully represented, he expects Gambia, Kenya and Liberia to also spring surprises in this year`s Championship.
He said the association is looking forward to their key sponsors Mercury International and Rokel Commercial Bank to support the Association. “They have both been supportive of us each time we knock on their doors, so we hope this good relationship continues.”
He however called on government (NSA & MOS), Sierra Leone Ports Authority management, Africell and Orange to come on board to support the Association.