Seven Scrabble stars receive PANASA award as Africa celebrates superb 2025

By Editor

The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) has announced its New Year Honours list, celebrating seven outstanding players whose performances between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025, defined one of the most successful periods in African Scrabble history.

The honours were confirmed by the PANASA Technical Committee, led by Technical Director Chrispine Okeyo of Kenya, alongside Ratings Officer Umar Faruq Babainna of Nigeria, Don Elijah Kagiri of Uganda, Adedeji Khaleel of Nigeria, and Emmanuel Enyi also of Nigeria.

The committee also reviewed continental rankings and performances at the WESPA Championship (WESPAC) Ghana 2025.

Overall, PANASA has now awarded 13 Continental Champion (CC) badges, seven Grand Master (GM) titles, and 12 Expert (EXP) designations, reflecting the rapid growth and rising standard of Scrabble across the continent.

Africa’s golden year on the global stage

The 2025 season will be remembered as a breakthrough year for African Scrabble.

At the World Youth Scrabble Championships in Malaysia, Abdulqudus Aliu of Nigeria finished second in the world, which is Africa’s best-ever result at the event, while 14-year-old Sophia Ekeruche claimed the Best Female Player award.

Africa also hosted the world at WESPAC Ghana 2025, widely praised as the best edition of the championship.

Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya topped the country rankings, while Nigeria’s trio of Oluwatimilehin Doko, Tega Okiemute, Abdulmumuni Jimoh and African Games gold medalist Emmanuel King of Sierra Leone all finished in the Top 10 individually.

Mauritius and Togo made historic first appearances at the event.

THE HONOUREES

PRESTIGE ARCHIBONG (JCC)

Prestige becomes the first-ever recipient of the Junior Continental Champion badge. After winning the Under-15 title at the AYSC in 2023, he stepped up to the Under-19 category in 2025 and won again, completing a clean sweep of continental youth honours and confirming his status as one of Africa’s most promising players.

SOPHIA EKERUCHE (JCC)

One of the brightest young talents in world Scrabble, Sophia produced a record-breaking performance at the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) in Kenya, going unbeaten in 18 games to win the Under-15 title without dropping a single match.

Already a regular competitor in Nigeria’s elite circuit, the 14-year-old has now been awarded the Junior Continental Champion (JCC) badge

TEGA OKIEMUTE (GM)

A year of consistency and podium finishes saw Tega rise from Expert to Grand Master.

He closed 2025 with an average rating of 2134.7 over 90 games and finished seventh on the African Ratings Ladder, earning him a well-deserved GM badge.

GEORGE EZINORE (GM)

Already an Expert in 2024, George elevated his game further in 2025. Strong showings in Nigeria as the winner of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Green Jacket and a good showing in Kenya and Ghana helped him finish the year with an average rating of 2100 over 126 games, pushing him into the Grand Master category and third place on the African Ratings Ladder.

DAVID OJIH (EXP)

At just 21, David Ojih has become the youngest Expert on the continent.

The former African Under-19 champion enjoyed a stellar year with impressive finishes across Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, medals at the Nigeria National Sports Festival and a side-event win at WESPAC 2025.

He ended the year with an average rating of 2027 and continues a rapid rise that many believe is only just beginning.

ADEBOLA “DUNSIN” SAMUEL (EXP)

After narrowly missing out on Expert status in 2024, Dunsin responded with an outstanding 2025.

Victories at the Governor Douye Diri Scrabble Championship and the BSP Tournament in Yenagoa propelled him into Africa’s elite, finishing fifth on the continental rankings with an average rating of 2032.

LUKEMAN OWOLABI (EXP)

A familiar name on the global circuit, Lukeman continued to impress in 2025 with wins and strong finishes across continents.

The current number one player in Ireland, he finished eighth on the African Ratings Ladder and has now been awarded the Continental Expert badge after a year that included a Cape Town International title and a Top-10 finish at WESPAC Ghana.

As PANASA celebrates these seven honourees, the message is audible and vivid: African Scrabble is not only growing, it is thriving, producing champions, record-breakers and global contenders, with an even brighter future ahead.