After an eventful eight days in Nigeria, the Dr Winifred Awosika Africa Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy continues its tour across Africa as it is set to arrive Uganda from the host country on Thursday.
The Trophy Tour which is one of the major activities planned by Pan Africa Scrabble Association (PANASA)to herald the maiden tournament holding in Lagos from August 24-28 this year is meant to galvanised school children and genetate awareness across the continent on the importance the sport plays in their development.
The cup created by Swatkins- one of the best makers of tournament trophies, began its movement from Ghana where it was welcomed by the Minister of Sports and the Local Organising Committee chairman of the 2024 Africa Games.
It’s visit to the former Gold Coast yielded a request by the LOC for scrabble to be one of the sports in the African Olympics.
In Kenya, a red carpet was rolled out as the government, scrabble community and the youths spread their arms to welcome the now iconic Trophy.
The bug has also caught up with Uganda.
President of Scrabble Uganda, Nelson Kyagera who was excited about the coming of the AYSC Trophy Tour reeled out a comprehensive schedule of events where the PANASA team led by Adekoyejo Adegbesan would impact during its five-day stay in East African country.
According to him, “the PANASA Africa Youth Scrabble Tournament tour begins on the 25th of May. The team and trophy will arrive at Entebbe Airport tomorrow (today)at 9am and proceed to St Mary’s College Kisubi to be received at 11am. Then depart for St Catherine’s Junior School in Sonde, Mukono at 12 noon where they will be received at 1pm.”
He continued , “The PANASA team and trophy will then be received at NCS headquarters by top national sports officials at 3 pm. On Friday 26th May, the team and trophy will tour 3 schools in Gulu starting at 2 pm. These are Gulu Army Secondary School, Over Champion Jesuit College and Credo Primary School.”
” I appeal to the “Entebbe Road Crew” scrabblers to be at St Mary’s College Kisubi by 10.am to participate there and beyond up to NCS at 3pm. I also appeal to all scrabblers around Kampala to be at NCS before 3pm to participate in the activity there. It is advisable to be dressed in our SAU branded wear. All scrabblers who will be in Gulu by Friday are requested to participate in the tour of the schools in the afternoon.”
About 150 participants from 23 countries are expected to feature at the maiden event slated for Chrisland School Lekki, Lagos.
The AYSC will hold side-by-side with the President’s Cup which is designed for the elites.
