| Scrabble in The Gambia |
| Contacts: Benny Yadel The Gambia Scrabble Association c/o YMCA MDI Road, Kanifing P O Box 421 Banjul The Gambia Email: scrabfed@another.com Other contacts: (all on code +220) Ebou Njie National Chairperson 900470 or 224651 Basiru Camara 391696 Modou Secka 375182 Peter Baldeh 668451 or 668941 Alhaji Daboe 674390 or 674096 Lesley Massaquoi 392647 lesleymass@yahoo.com |
| The first ever Gambian Open Scrabble Champion was crowned on Sunday 29 April 2001. He is Abba Hydara, a cataract surgeon in the Medical School in Banjul, the capital. Second was Abiola Oyinloye and third was Adi Cole. The turnout was encouraging and the result was aired on national television. Sixth placed Richard Sok played FAIRINGS as a triple-triple for 157 points for the highest word. Benny Yadel was unable to play as he had to officiate, and thanks all who encouraged the Gambian players. |
| Last updated 18 July 2001 Send comments to steven@cde.org.za |
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| The Gambia's representative to the 2001 World Scrabble Championships (WSC), in Las Vegas on 13-17 December 2001, will be current Youth Champion OMAR M. JAH. He was chosen in a selection tournament on Saturday 14 July 2001. He defeated ABBA HYDARA in the finals. Third was EBOU NJIE followed by cousins MODOU BAH and ALIEU BAH. Although 29 players arrived, 13 were disqualified for lateness. High word was Hydara's triple-triple EVENTING for 149, with the highest average score of 455 by Omar Jah. Omar will be the first Gambian to represent his country at the WSC. Abba Hydara is first reserve. |