Team Nigeria Laud Kwara State Govt: Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu"s 23rd & Sufyan Boluwatife Olokojo’s 28th Place Finish at the World Youth Scrabble Championship 2024

 Team captain Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu stated that they are glad for the opportunity to represent Nigeria. The World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) is an annual event that brings together young scrabble players from around the globe to compete in a series of matches. In the most recent edition held in Sri Lanka, members of Team Nigeria expressed their gratitude towards the Kwara State Government for its financial support, which enabled them to participate in this prestigious competition.

“I know that the government have so many projects to carry out and they don’t have enough money but still, they supported our dream of representing Nigeria. We are really happy, and we hope to continue to make Kwara State and Nigeria proud,” Aliu said.

Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu, a multiple National Youth Games gold medalist, finished 23rd in the World Youth Championship, winning 14 games and losing 10, similar to Sufyan Boluwatife Olokojo, but with a better cumulative point total. Top scrabble stakeholders feel that the duo's jetlag and rigorous travel schedule contributed to their championship losses.

Sufyan Boluwatife Olokojo, for his part, stated that the championship helped them learn a lot about the game, and he expects that by 2025, they will be competing for a podium finish.

“We want to thank our Governor for supporting us, we pray Allah continue to bless him and we promise to do better in other international Championships,” the double gold medalist at the last National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State stated.

Sufyan Boluwatife Olokojo finished 28th among 136 players from 22 countries. This ranking reflects his performance relative to other competitors, showcasing both his skill and the competitive nature of the tournament. The team captain, Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu, articulated a sense of pride and appreciation for being able to represent Nigeria on an international stage. His acknowledgment of the government’s support highlights not only their individual achievements but also the broader context of governmental involvement in sports development within Nigeria.

In a similar event, the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) recognized Team Nigeria's performance at the World Youth Scrabble Championship as excellent and commendable.

Engineer Toke Aka, President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, stated that these children are the future of the game of words, not only in Nigeria, but worldwide.

"I can tell you that, these young boys and girls can take on any Masters category player without any form of fear, some of the players you saw at the World Youth Championship have actually beaten some of us in the past," claimed Aka.

The NSF President also complimented the Kwara State Government for its support of the squad, despite the country's dire economic position.

It is critical to note that the Kwara State Government has been growing the sports sector of its economy during the previous five years.

The sentiments expressed by Aliu also point toward future aspirations for both the team and individual players. Their hope to continue making Kwara State and Nigeria proud suggests a commitment not only to personal excellence but also to representing their home region positively on international platforms. This ambition is crucial as it drives athletes to improve their skills and strive for higher placements in future competitions.

In conclusion, Team Nigeria’s participation in the World Youth Scrabble Championship was marked by commendable performances and strong expressions of gratitude towards governmental support. Such backing is vital for nurturing young talents who aspire to excel in competitive environments.