Sports
Nigeria, Giant In Scrabble – NSF President
The National President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Olobatoke Aka, has described the country as a giant in the game of scrabble.
Aka told newsmen at the weekend in Uyo shortly after the first round matches of the 5th Godswill Akpabio International Scrabble Classics, that youths in the country had relative advantage over other youths in the sport.
He urged youths to take to sport because there were lots of advantages in it.
“It is a game that the country needed to encourage the youths to play as it can go a long way in helping them to improve their written and spoken English,” he stressed.
He said that scrabble was never a dull man’s game, stressing: “It is an intellectual game because it has to do with the mind and physical well being.
“It also helps the players to exercise their hands through movement of the hands while playing the game.’’
On defending champions of the past edition of the competition, Moses Peter said he was optimistic that it was going to re-emerge as champion.
Aka, who said he had been champion in five previous editions, claimed that he defeated Pakorn Nemitramansuk of Malaysia. “I am currently the highest ranked player in the country.
“As regards scrabbles and general aspects of life, I believe everything is achievable. One just has to be focused and victory must come your way.
“Akpabio Classics stands out as one of the best around the globe.
“Akpabio Classics is the most prestigious tournament and we give kudos to Gov. Akpabio for providing us the opportunity to take part in what we could have gone outside the country to benefit from,’’ he added.
The event had been split into four categories, Masters, Intermediate, Opens and Veterans.
No fewer than 300 players are participating in the tournament being held at the Le’ Meridien Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo.
The prize money are: N2 million for the overall winner, N900,000 for the second position and N600,000 each for the two junior categories.
Enzo Fernandez was booed by some supporters on the day when Morgan Rogers scored on his first appearance for Chelsea in a 3-1 win against Real Sociedad.
Joao Pedro also continued his fine pre-season form with a double as manager Xabi Alonso offered a glimpse of what could be his blueprint for the season.
But the action was overshadowed by the reaction to Fernandez’s second-half appearance, less than 24 hours after Chelsea’s self-imposed transfer deadline had passed.
Fernandez had been keen to join Real Madrid earlier this summer before the Spanish club ended their interest in the Argentine.
His representatives later held talks with Manchester City, but no offer was made to meet Chelsea‘s £120m valuation before Friday’s deadline.
Fernandez was booed by some early arrivals at Stamford Bridge when his name was read out 45 minutes before kick-off.
There were then audible boos when Fernandez came on in the 62nd minute.
Chelsea supporters appeared divided, with others responding by chanting his name.
Yet, it was a signal of Alonso and Chelsea‘s backing that when Reece James left the field he passed his long-time vice-captain the armband as usual.
Each touch of the ball was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers.
It followed attempts by some supporters to move on from a saga that appears to have ended with Chelsea now expecting to keep one of their best players.
Others, however, remain unhappy with his perceived disloyalty, having come out publicly about his desire to move to Madrid, with his agent Javier Pastore also claiming he is underpaid.
It will be interesting to see how supporters of the Premier League’s other 19 clubs react to Fernandez, given his celebrations and social media jibes after Argentina beat England in a World Cup semi-final in July.
That will remain an issue whether he remains at Chelsea or Manchester City elect to revive their interest and attempt to reunite him with his former manager Enzo Maresca before deadline day on 1 September.
It took Rogers only seven minutes to score his first goal in a Chelsea shirt as he reacted quickest after Alex Remiro saved Joao Pedro’s initial header.
The £117m club record signing from Aston Villa initially looked sharp and linked well with Cole Palmer and Pedro in Chelsea‘s front three.
Within 10 minutes of his debut, supporters were already chanting his name.
However, it was understandable that Rogers faded as the match wore on, given he had trained for less than a week since returning from holiday before his 62-minute outing.
Beyond Rogers, Joao Pedro has been the star of Chelsea‘s pre-season.
In this outing he headed Chelsea back in front in the 47th minute before adding a side-footed finish 30 minutes later to seal victory after Sociedad had equalised just before half-time through Jon Mikel Aramburu’s volley.
Chelsea lost control towards the end of the first half and looked vulnerable, but they were much improved after the break.
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