Nigeria’s African Junior Scrabble Champion, Prestige Archibong Mfoniso, will represent the country at the 20th edition of the World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) in Malaysia.
Archibong, a native of Akwa Ibom State, recently won the U-19 category at the African Youth Scrabble Championships in Kenya. He had earlier won the U-15 category two years ago in Lagos and has now risen to become one of Nigeria’s brightest young players.
In Kenya, Archibong edged fellow Nigerian Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu to clinch the U-19 crown, finishing with a superior cumulative score of +2794 points compared to Aliu’s 2568 points. Both players recorded 18 wins from 24 games. Nigeria also won the U-19 team title ahead of Ghana and Kenya and claimed the best country prize.
The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has confirmed a four-player team for the World Championship. It will be led by captain Abdulqudus Olawale Aliu, a multiple National Youth Games gold medallist who finished among the top 25 at the last WYSC in Sri Lanka. Also on the team are U-15 African Youth Scrabble Champion Sophia Ebube Ekeruche and Joy Eberechukwu Nwabuzor, another standout performer in Kenya.
Speaking ahead of the World Championship, Archibong expressed confidence and determination.
“The World Youth Championship in Malaysia is coming up, scrabblers around the world should watch out for us,” he said.
The World Youth Scrabble Championship will bring together the best young talents from across the globe, and Team Nigeria is expected to be among the favourites following their impressive showing in Africa.