Nigeria’s rising Scrabble star, Joy Ola, has credited her success at the recently concluded Cape Town International Scrabble Championship to the exposure and experience she gained from the inaugural African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) held in 2023.
Ola, who emerged as the winner in the Class B category at the prestigious tournament in South Africa, described the AYSC—organised by the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA)—as a crucial stepping stone in her sporting career.
“Yes, the AYSC was a launch pad for me because it has created new opportunities, recognition within the Scrabble community, and personal growth as well. It boosted my confidence, motivated me to do more, and built my self-esteem,” she told sportxvibe.com.ng in an interview.
Reflecting on her triumph in Cape Town, Ola, an 100 level student at the University of Jos, (UNIJOS), expressed immense joy, calling it a defining moment in her career.
“I felt a rush of excitement mixed with a sense of relief and accomplishment. It was truly a remarkable experience,” she said.
Ola demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience throughout the tournament, winning 23 rounds and losing 19 to secure a cumulative point of +832. Despite facing a challenging streak of bad tile draws on the penultimate day, she remained determined to finish strong.
“The competition was fierce and highly competitive because all divisions were combined. Nonetheless, I was able to work my way to the top of my division. I experienced a rough patch with bad picks a day before the final games, but I stayed focused and confident. The victory left me on cloud nine for days,” she added.
The young champion also called for greater support for female Scrabble players, highlighting financial constraints as a major hurdle to international participation.
“To encourage and support young female players, I believe the Scrabble federation or benefactors should provide more funding opportunities specifically for women in the sport,” she emphasized.
Ola extended her gratitude to Lukeman Owolabi, who won first place in his division with 34 wins and eight losses, securing a cumulative point of +2593. She credited him as her primary sponsor for the tournament, while also appreciating her father for his financial and moral support.
“I sincerely want to appreciate Mr. Lukeman Owolabi for sponsoring me to the tournament. I also thank my dad for his support, as well as everyone who cheered me on, encouraged me, and prayed for me.”
Looking ahead, the young Scrabble prodigy is eager to refine her skills and compete in more international and national tournaments.
“I’m going back to the drawing board. There’s still so much to learn in Scrabble. Traveling to South Africa was an incredible experience, and I look forward to participating in more international competitions,” she concluded.