EEAST an all-important event in the scrabble firmament - Bukunmi Afolayan

... Winning the challengers category was an unexpected blessing 

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye 

   

  

   The fifth edition of the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament, (EEAST), may have come and gone but the echoes of the quintessential annual event will linger for a long time in the hearts of the Scrabble firmament.

Bukunmi Afolayan, winner of the challengers event at the prestigious event, recounts what it felt like to claim the top spot in the challengers category.

Bukunmi Afolayan stated that winning the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament was an unexpected blessing for her, adding that the quality of players at the event made it extremely difficult to crown an early winner.

She made this known in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, emphasizing that EEAST remains an all-important event in Nigeria.

“It was a tough one like, I didn't expect to take home the top prize, I was just playing my best, with no reservation. When we got there and they are saying they are going to separate the first four players to play another tournament entirely, I was like ha. When I started playing again I was not even thinking I could win a game but as God will have it, I won, all glory to God,” she narrated.

“I faced the best Opens players and some Intermediate players, based on the categorisation, there were so many great players in that field, I tried my best, played my best and God crowned my efforts,” she added.

Afolayan, the Queen of Nigerian Scrabble, explained that the highly esteemed Scrabble feast helped prepare herself for the World Championship coming up in Ghana.

“It's going to really improve my rating, because I've been losing ratings points so winning the event improved my rating ahead of the world Championship coming up in Ghana,” she said.

She went on to add that the event not just boosted her rating, and pockets but also lifted her spirits, promising to engrave her name in gold in Ghana, come November 2025.

“God's willing by the time I make the team to represent Nigeria, I'm going to make Nigeria proud,” she stressed.

She also commended the founder and financier of the EEAST, Engineer Emmanuel Egbele, for the time, energy and money, he put into the event to make it the most sought-after Scrabble event in Nigeria.

“I want to say kudos to Engineer Emmanuel Egbele, I've always been saying kudos to him because it's not always easy to organize a tournament in Eko Hotels and Suites, the halls, the ambience, everything was screaming first-class, so I want to say thank you to him and all who supported this event,” she stated.

Afolayan, who is also a gospel artist, called on corporate bodies and well meaning individuals with deep pockets to throw their weight behind the game of words and mind, adding that with adequate support scrabble will bring more glory and honour to Nigeria 

“I want to encourage others to come and support the game of Scrabble. The game of Scrabble is really making Nigeria proud, Scrabble is the number one sport that makes Nigeria proud, even ahead of football, but we don't gain the recognition that we deserve, so I want to encourage others that are willing to come and support the game, so that we can do better,” she concluded.

Delta State’s Emmanuel Umujose defeated Bayelsa State’s Enai Doubra 3-2 in a thrilling ‘Best of 5’ final encounter to claim the Elite Division title to earn the prestigious EEAST Jacket and a cash prize of 700,000 naira, while Bukunmi Afolayan and Frank Ishekwene grabbed the Challenger and the Sage categories respectively.

In the Challenger Division, Afolayan over powered Sunday Ituah in the ‘Best of 3’ final with a commanding 3-zat to win a cash prize of 350,000 naira becoming the first woman ever to win a major category in the tournament.