Ado Salisu
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, says Scrabble will be introduced into secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to promote intellectual development and nurture young talents through the mind sport.
Governor Diri disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the 6th Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic, held on Sunday at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
The governor commended the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association for sustaining the annual championship, describing it as Nigeria’s premier Scrabble tournament and a platform that continues to promote excellence in the strategic board game.
Diri, who participated in an exhibition match against the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Bright Idahosa, said the game brought back fond memories of his younger years when Scrabble helped improve his vocabulary and sharpen his analytical skills.
He noted that beyond producing national and international champions, Scrabble is an educational sport that promotes critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and intellectual development among young people.
As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development, Governor Diri disclosed that he had directed the Commissioner for Sports Development and the Commissioner for Education to work out modalities for the introduction of a Scrabble competition among secondary schools in Bayelsa State.
According to him, the initiative is designed to expose students to the educational and cognitive benefits of the game while identifying and nurturing future champions from an early age.
The governor also commended the players, officials and visitors who travelled from different parts of Nigeria and abroad to participate in the championship, expressing appreciation for their support and for choosing Bayelsa as the host state.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue investing in Scrabble as an effective tool for youth empowerment, educational advancement and human capital development.
Congratulating winners in the various categories, Governor Diri assured the Nigeria Scrabble Federation of Bayelsa State’s readiness to host the seventh edition of the championship next year on an even larger scale.
The Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic has continued to grow in prominence, attracting some of Nigeria’s top Scrabble players and further positioning Bayelsa as a leading destination for mind sports in the country.