Governor Diri to introduce scrabble in Bayelsa Secondary Schools
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to promoting Scrabble by announcing plans to introduce the game into secondary schools across the state following the successful conclusion of the 6th Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic in Yenagoa.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held on Sunday at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Governor Diri commended the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association for sustaining what he described as Nigeria's premier Scrabble championship.
The governor, who participated in an exhibition match against the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Bright Idahosa, said the game brought back fond memories of his youth, recalling how Scrabble helped expand his vocabulary and sharpen his analytical skills.
According to Diri, Scrabble is more than a competitive sport, describing it as an educational tool that fosters strategic thinking, creativity, and intellectual development among young people.
To strengthen grassroots participation, the governor directed the Commissioners for Sports Development and Education to work out modalities for organising Scrabble competitions in secondary schools across Bayelsa State.
He explained that the initiative is designed to expose students to the cognitive and educational benefits of the game while identifying and nurturing future champions from an early age.
Governor Diri also praised players, officials, and visitors who travelled from different parts of Nigeria and beyond for the championship, expressing appreciation for choosing Bayelsa as the host state.
Reiterating his administration's support for the sport, he said the state would continue to invest in Scrabble as a means of youth empowerment and human capital development.
Congratulating winners in the various categories, the governor assured the Nigeria Scrabble Federation of Bayelsa's readiness to host the seventh edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic on an even larger scale next year.
The annual championship has continued to grow in prominence, attracting some of Nigeria's finest Scrabble players and further establishing Bayelsa as one of the country's leading hubs for mind sports.
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