The Gambia Scrabble Federation (GSF) has expressed its profound gratitude to the Gambian Government for its crucial support in enabling Team Gambia’s participation in the recently concluded African Scrabble Championship (ASC) in Kigali, Rwanda. This support, facilitated by the National Sports Council (NSC) under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, led by the dynamic Hon. Minister Bakary Badjie, has been pivotal in showcasing The Gambia’s potential on the international stage. Thanks to a substantial contribution of one million dalasis from the Ministry of Youth & Sports, The Gambia’s participation underscores the ministry’s commitment to fostering excellence and international representation in diverse sports arenas.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, GSF Scribe Ousman Conteh emphasized the importance of the government’s backing, stating, “We will continue to use the mind game to project The Gambia in a positive light on and off the board.” The federation believes this support was instrumental in the team’s successful participation and remarkable improvement since the previous ASC held in 2022 in Lusaka, Zambia. The ten-member team, led by GSF President Njie Ebou, finished in 5th place in the team event, competing among 92 participants from 11 countries. In the individual category, five Gambian players ranked in the top 50, with Maju Bah (27th), Omar Jah (31st), Salifu Jabang (37th), Richard Sock (44th), and Njie Ebou (46th) delivering standout performances.
This financial backing represents a significant shift, particularly as previous constraints prevented Team Gambia from attending the World Championship in Las Vegas and limited their presence at the last West African Scrabble Championship in Lagos. This year, however, with the government’s help, Team Gambia proudly made it to Kigali, marking a new era for the country’s scrabble aspirations.
Looking ahead, GSF is gearing up for the 2025 MGI World Championship and the World English Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) in Accra, Ghana. Preparations are set to begin in mid-November with the Mid-Month Tournament at the New Scrabble Center in Brusubi, featuring 20 rounds of competition, including 16 Swiss and 4 King of the Hill pairings.
Conteh extended special thanks to Muhammed Jawla, the Acting Executive Director of the NSC, for his steadfast support and encouragement throughout the team’s preparation for the ASC. As Gambia Scrabble moves forward, the team remains dedicated to promoting the nation on the global stage, bolstered by the unwavering support of the NSC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.