Nigeria’s quest to assemble a formidable team for the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship begins this weekend as the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) conducts its national qualifiers on the Woogles online platform.
According to the National Youth Coach, Hassan Olojoku Abdulrafiu, the qualifiers will hold on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, with players competing in monitored online games to determine the country’s representatives for the global championship.
Abdulrafiu informed coaches across the country that the National Technical Director, Adedeji Khaleel, will release the detailed modalities for the exercise ahead of the competition.
He urged all eligible players to familiarize themselves with the Woogles platform before the qualifiers, while charging coaches and chaperones to ensure their players have a smooth and hitch-free playing environment throughout the online competition.
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Although participation at the World Youth Scrabble Championship will be self-sponsored, the qualifiers remain crucial as the federation seeks to identify the best four players who will represent Nigeria in the team event in Nairobi, Kenya.
In addition to the four qualifiers, Nigeria is expected to field two Under-10 players as part of its quota for the championship. With about four eligible U-10 players currently in contention, competition for the available spots is expected to be keen.
The National Youth Coach also advised coaches to remain actively involved in sponsorship efforts, noting that the Nigeria Scrabble Federation will periodically request updates on funding arrangements ahead of the trip.
Nigeria heads into the qualifiers with fond memories of its impressive outing at the last World Youth Scrabble Championship in Malaysia, where Abdulqodus Aliou came agonisingly close to winning the overall title, while Sophia Ekeruche emerged as the tournament’s Best Female player.
The 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship will take place from August 7 to 9 at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, where Nigeria will be aiming to build on its recent successes on the international stage.
