Doko emerges youngest African Scrabble Championship winner

Oluwatimilehin Doko, a member of Team Ogun that represented Nigeria at the 2024 African Scrabble Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, has made history as the youngest African Scrabble Championship winner.

Doko and other Ogun State players in Rwanda recorded awe-inspiring performances, with the youngster emerging as the overall winner.

The Ogun State player became the youngest at 24 to be the new bearer of the continent’s premier showpiece title when his new status was confirmed after he defeated Mumeen Jimoh, another Ogun State player (574-442), in round 31 to push his tally to an unassailable 24 wins.

The University of Lagos undergraduate would complete his climb to the chart’s peak with a record of 25 wins and 7 defeats and a massive 2244 cumulative points.

Jimoh also made the state’s efforts count, as he finished fourth with 21 wins and 11 defeats.

Current African Youth Champion David Ojih, another Ogun State youngster, pulled his weight among the big guns in Africa to finish as the sixth-best player with a 20-12 (907) result.

African Games gold medallist Adebisi Adekansi showed her prowess on the board by claiming the first runner-up title behind another Nigerian, Mayuku Tuoyo, underscoring the strength of Ogun State’s players at the biennial tournament.

Cyril Umebiye, Samuel Adebola, and Olamide Oyejide were part of Team Ogun players who featured at the championship.

Meanwhile, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development Wasiu Isiaka praised the players for their commanding performance, especially with the 2024 National Sports Festival about two months away.

He said, “We are immensely proud of Timilehin and our talented representatives who are members of Team Ogun for the upcoming National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games Ogun 2024.

“Your triumphs inspire many across our state and demonstrate the potential that resides within our youth.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Chairman of the Ogun State Scrabble Association, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, our dedicated coaches, and the Ogun State Sports Council for their unwavering support and commitment to nurturing our athletes.”

“Additionally, we recognise the continuous efforts of His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, whose commitment to the development of sports in Ogun State has paved the way for our athletes to excel on national and international stages.

“Once again, congratulations, Oluwatimilehin Doko! Your success is a proud moment for Ogun State, and we look forward to witnessing further achievements from you and Team Ogun in the future.”