BY Martin Wusha Conteh- 076235174
Sierra Leonean top-flight Scrabble players are on intensive training ahead of the 14th edition of Pan- Africa Scrabble Championship scheduled to be hosted in Zambia from the 21st to the 24th October 2022.
Amongst the one hundred and fifty to two hundred competitors expected from South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Botswana, Gambia, Tanzania and the host nation Zambia. Ten Scrabblers are expected from Sierra Leone including top foreign based scrabbler Mohamed Alieu Kamara.
According to the President of the National Scrabble Association of Sierra Leone (NSASL), Christian Asgill who will double as the leader of delegation, said as one of the most experienced player in the association, he will ensure team Sierra Leone represent the Green, White and Blue well as they did in the World Championship in Goa, India and the just concluded West Africa Championship in Accra, Ghana.
He said 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”.
Christian noted: “Honestly the Nigerians have been the top flight team in the world and the continent, but I can assure you that team Sierra Leone will spring surprises as we did in the World Championship in Goa, India” he said.
He continued: “We are hopeful this will be our biggest representation in an international tournament given that we are accorded the right support from government. Before now Mohamed Alieu Kamara, Emmanuel King Esq, Patrick Drape Hamilton, Abdul Borbor Kamara and Ishmael Sesay have been representing us in various tournaments at Africa and world level but we intend to show case new names if the financial support favor us”
When asked whether their partners will partner with the association ahead of the championship; he said: “We are looking forward to that because Mercury International and Rokel Commercial Bank are both being supportive of us each time we knock on their doors, so we hope this good relationship continue”. He however called on government (NSA & MOS), Sierra Leone Ports Authority management, Africell and Orange to come on board to support the association.
