Title: Ngumba Ibn becomes champion of the K. Fokam 2023 international scrabble tournament
Introduction :
The 2023 K. Fokam International Scrabble Tournament, organized by the Ligue Professionnelle de Scrabble Francophone, which took place from July 2 to 8 in Kribi, Cameroon, crowned Congolese Ngumba Ibn as the new champion. This competition brought together eight African countries, including Cameroon, Benin, Ivory Coast, Niger, DRC, Chad, Gabon and Togo. Despite the logistical challenges encountered to participate in this event, Ngumba Ibn shone on the sporting level and proudly represented the DRC by winning the title.
The impressive journey of Ngumba Ibn:
Ngumba Ibn had to face great Scrabble nations during this international tournament. In Pool G, he qualified for the Round of 16 and then faced the reigning African champion, a duel that pitted the African champions of previous years against each other. Throughout the qualifiers, he managed to beat formidable opponents, such as Gabonese world vice-champion Ilagou Schelick. In the final, it was the Chadian champion Iram Rilengar Maxime who found himself facing him, and Ngumba Ibn finally won the well-deserved victory.
The challenges of the journey to Kribi:
Ngumba Ibn also revealed the harsh conditions he and his companion faced on their journey to Kribi. Due to the lack of financial means to fly, they crossed the Congo River and took a bus that traveled all over Congo-Brazzaville to the Cameroonian border. Once they arrived in Cameroon, they had to find another means of transport to get to Kribi, a town they only knew by name. Despite the risks and constraints, their determination to represent their country was unwavering.
Daniel ESSOMBA, the promoter of the millionaires tournament:
This international scrabble tournament, known as the “Millionaires K. Fokam Tournament”, is the initiative of Daniel ESSOMBA, nicknamed “Master Gitan”, talented scrabble player and member of the STC Club of Yaoundé. His vision was to take Scrabble out of its precariousness and allow players to live fully from their art. With the support of a dynamic organizing committee, which has notably obtained the sponsorship of the famous Cameroonian footballer Géremi Njitap, the K. Fokam millionaires tournament represents a major turning point for scrabble in Cameroon and lays the foundations for a professional scrabble in Africa.
Conclusion :
Ngumba Ibn wrote a page in African Scrabble history by becoming champion of the 2023 K. Fokam International Tournament. Despite the difficulties encountered during his journey and the strong competition from other players, he proved his mastery of the game and his determination to represent his country. The K Millionaire Tournament. Fokam, initiated by Daniel ESSOMBA, offers scrabble players the possibility of getting out of precariousness and contributes to the development of this sport in Africa