Nigeria’s youth captain Sufiyan Boluwatife produced a stunning performance to win the fifth edition of the Black Knight Closed Scrabble Championship in Ilorin, Kwara.
The youngster led Team Nigeria to Kenya for the African Youth Championships and also featured at the World Youth tournament in Sri Lanka.
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He played his way to the top of the table as he fended off strong challenges from rivals, including the defending champion Olawale Qudus, who finished second as both were separated by cumulative points.
Boluwatife garnered six wins with +796 points to finish first, while Qudus got the same win but with a lower cumulative points of +303 in the 22-player tournament.
Former national champion Kabiru Olaiya, who has been at the forefront of using the Black Knight Closed Scrabble Championship as a platform for the discovery and nurturing of young talents in Kwara State for the past five years, commended all the players, including the participants, for the success of the tournament.
He said: “I want to appreciate everyone for another successful Black Knight Closed Scrabble Championship, which is now in its fifth edition,” he said.
“This tournament is my own way of giving back to my constituency, which is sport and specifically scrabble.
“Young players who have gone to impress at the world level have been discovered through this tournament, and we hope to get more if support can be given in expanding it. Congratulations to all the players.”
Twenty-two players featured at the one-day tournament as deserving individuals were presented with cash prizes and awards.