World Youth Scrabble Championship: Captain Aliu Leads Nigerian Eaglets To Impressive Lead With Seven Wins On Day 1

MEMBERS of Team Nigeria at the World Youth Scrabble Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia started their quest for honours on an impressive note on Day 1 of the competition.

Captain Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu, is the highest ranked member of Team Nigeria at the end of play on Day 1 with 7 wins from 8 games and a fine cumulative point of plus 784 at number 7 on the table of 218 players.

Aliu, the teenager who is hoping to study English Literature in the University completed his sensational start in Kuala Lumpur with a five-point margin win 412–407 over Pakistan’s Manaal Asher.

Africa U-19 champion, Prestige Archibong and Joy Nwabuzor are on 6 wins each. Archibong has 808 points and Nwabuzor cumulative points is 367.

Joy Nwabuzor had a poor start in the championship, dropping her first two games but after those opening defeats, Joy Eberechukwu Nwabuzor started radiating with joy and confidence and in the process picked up six wins and plus 367 points.

The golden girl from the City of Aquatic Splendor and current Africa U-15 queen, Sophia Ebube Ekeruche, is blowing hot in the golden peninsula as Malaysia is fondly called with only two defeats from 8 games and plus 619 cumulative points.

Ekeruche, who went unbeaten at the African Youth Scrabble Championships defeated Shanzay Fazil of Pakistan 408–366 in game, she is on 5 win and a draw.

Oscar Ivanovski of Australia, on 8 wins and plus 1015 points and India’s Suyash Manchali with 8 and 600 points are yet to feel the pain of defeat in the Championship.

Team Nigeria is also holding the right end of the rack, titles and board in the team event.

India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are the other countries fighting for a place on the team podium with Nigeria.

The best performer from Kenya that has 22 players in the competition is Dalton Njenga with 4 wins and minus 123 points.

Dalton Njenga, currently sitting on the number 119 spot on the log closed Day 1 of action with a 198-points margin win over Faris Daffa Muhammad of Indonesia 507–309.

Eight other Kenyans, Valerie Wanyara, Tonyblayer Kimani, Adrian Ngache, Janice Pendo, Steve Mburu, Wambui Audrey, Venessa Mwangi and Stephanie Wambui are on 3 wins each and they are occupying between 141 and 292 spots.

Cyprian Muhia and Angel Mutana have 2 victories a piece, while Mitchelle Wairimu who is 5 places off the foot of the table has recorded just a win with minus 556 points.

Just like the last African Youth Scrabble Championships, it’s a no show for the rainbow nation of South Africa in Malaysia.

TEAM NIGERIA PLACEMENT ON DAY ONE

7. Abdulqudus Aliu – NG, 7 +784

13. Prestige Archibong – NG, 6 +808

21. Joy Nwabuzor – NG, 6 +367

32. Sophia Ekeruche – NG, 5.5 +619

(Sports 24/7)