Yenagoa – Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has directed the Ministries of Sports Development and Education to work out modalities for the introduction of a scrabble tournament in secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to promote intellectual development and strategic thinking among students.
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The governor announced the directive on Saturday night during the closing ceremony of the 6th edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic, held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.
Diri commended the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association for sustaining the annual championship, describing it as the country’s foremost platform for the development of the strategic board game.
He recalled participating in an exhibition match with the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engr. Bright Idahosa, saying the experience rekindled cherished memories of his childhood when scrabble helped improve vocabulary and sharpen intellectual abilities.
“The exhibition game I played with the Federation’s President, Engr. Bright Idahosa, brought back fond memories of the game I played very well while growing up. We used it to boost our vocabulary as young students,” the governor said.
Governor Diri noted that scrabble has grown beyond a recreational activity into a sport that produces national and international champions while promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
“Beyond the fact that we are raising national and international champions from this game, this is one mind sport that I will personally recommend to all, particularly our secondary schools, because it is very educative and makes one think strategically,” he stated.
To deepen the game’s development in Bayelsa, the governor said he had directed the Commissioner for Sports Development and his counterpart in the Ministry of Education to collaborate on introducing scrabble competitions among secondary schools in the state.
“I have therefore directed the Commissioners in charge of Sports Development and Education to work out measures to introduce a scrabble tournament among secondary schools in our dear state,” he said.
Governor Diri also expressed appreciation to players and officials from different states of the federation and beyond for participating in the championship, noting that Bayelsa remains committed to creating an enabling environment for sports development while redefining governance for the benefit of its people.
Reaffirming his administration’s support for the sport, he described scrabble as an effective platform for youth empowerment and pledged that the state government would continue to support its growth.
“As a government, your game is one sport that we will continue to support as a platform for youth empowerment,” the governor assured.
He congratulated winners in the various categories and invited participants to return for an even bigger and better seventh edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic next year.
“Congratulations to all the winners in the different categories. We will be glad to host you next year for the seventh edition, even in a bigger way,” Diri said.
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