Babatunde Adeagbo, the Ogun State scrabble athlete at the National Sports Festival has won a silver medal in the intermediate category of the ongoing championship in Asaba, Delta State.
The player who missed out in the hunt for the gold medal had led the pack into the 17th round before slipping in the closing stages of the competition due to lower cumulative points.
A popular figure in the Ogun state scrabble community, Adeagbo showed his workings and justified the tremendous support the players received from the Ogun State Scrabble Association led by Adekoyejo Adegbesan.
A little slip in the closing rounds placed him in the second position with 12 wins, six defeats and 506 cumulative points behind eventual winner Okagbue Ajuluchukwu of Anambra State who edged him with a higher cumulative points of 636.
Umukoro Oghomaria of Edo State would claim the bronze.
“Oju” as he is called has subsequently earned Ogun state a place on the revered podium at the Nigeria’s Olympics.
The Chairman Osun State Scrabble Association Adekoyejo commended the player’s doggedness in the event which featured over 30 states of the federation.
“Oju’s performance may have stunned many but definitely not me” he stressed, ” I had spotted this since late last year and he genuinely wanted to deliver for the Association, the State and make himself proud. The most improved and consistent at the moment.”
He then charged the other players to “go one better and deliver Gold in the doubles across board. Congratulations Oju” he said.
He then thanked the state government for providing the enabling environment for the sport despite the numerous challenges.
The scrabble events at the Festival enter day 4 with the Doubles as states resume their search for diadem.
