NSF: Anambra Grabs Gold Medal In Singles Scrabble
Team Anambra has won their first gold medal at the National Sports Festival (NSF) going on in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Ajuluchukwu Okagbue won the silverware after defeating Oghomaria Umukoro representing Edo State in the intermediate category of the scrabble event which was held at the indoor sports hall of the Stephen Keshi stadium.
Speaking to journalists, Okagbue said he was glad to be the first to record a good medal for Anambra.
He described the task as herculean having played for two days in 18 games of 40 minutes each to beat other 28 states that fielded players in the category.
He said he qualified for the intermediate based on his national ranking of 1,236 which was more than the minimum 1,200 points required.
He however said, his ranking was one of the lowest among those that competed in that category.
“I just emerged champion in an event that has 29 states participating, so it is good that I won it for Anambra,” he said.
Okagbue thanked Patrick Onyedum, chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission for approving that scrabble should be part of the team after years of being denied sponsorship by the Commission.
He pleaded that scrabble should be made a permanent member of the team as it was intellectually engaging and had high chances of winning medals for the state.
“In previous games, the state Commission said it does not have money and refused to allow us to attend competitions but this time we pleaded with management and they agreed, you can see the result.
“The game is still on, we just won in the single event, doubles will come later, so there is still hope. Our appeal is that this participation should not be one off,” he said.
