PANASA demands government backing for Scrabble

The president of the Pan African Scrabble Association, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, says the continent must build on the wave of enthusiasm triggered by the 2025 World English-Language Scrabble Players Championship in Accra, describing the moment as a turning point for the sport in Africa, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Speaking after returning from Ghana, he said the successes recorded at WESPAC had demonstrated Africa’s potential to become a global force in Scrabble. He noted that the continent already hosts two major regional championships, two senior competitions, and a growing biannual youth championship, but argued that far more can be achieved.

“We have tasted what is possible,” he said, adding that the energy from the championship had reinforced the need to widen the sport’s reach and create stronger development structures.

He urged governments and private partners to invest in mind-sport facilities, explaining that the visibility generated by WESPAC had created an opportunity to expand training programmes, develop competitive pathways, and establish dedicated learning hubs for young and elite players.

“We need more schools, more investment, and more government support,” he said.

“If we build on the foundation 2025 WESPAC has given us, Africa will become the constant heartbeat of world scrabble.”

According to him, the increased media attention enjoyed by Scrabble in recent months should motivate national federations to stage more tournaments and create platforms capable of discovering new talent. He said additional events would encourage wider grassroots participation and strengthen the continent’s competitive base.

He added that deeper collaboration with the World English-Language Scrabble Players Association would provide African scrabble with access to global expertise and development resources.

With Kenya scheduled to host the World Youth Scrabble Championships in 2026 and Liberia preparing to stage the African Scrabble Championship in the same year, he said the continent already has momentum but must set even higher targets.

Team Nigeria won the Best Country title at the 2025 championship, finishing ahead of Ghana and Kenya.

Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, South Africa, Mauritius, Zambia, Tanzania, and Togo also participated in the event held in Accra.