The 2023 K. Fokam International Scrabble Tournament, organized by the Ligue Professionnelle de Scrabble Francophone, was recently held in Kribi, Cameroon, from July 2-8. This major event brought together players from eight African countries, such as Cameroon, Benin, Ivory Coast, Niger, DRC, Chad, Gabon and Togo.
The big winner of this prestigious tournament is Ngumba Ibn, representing the Democratic Republic of Congo. After successfully passing through the various qualifying phases, Ibn Ngumba won the final against the Chadian player Iram Rilengar Maxime. He thus becomes the African champion of this Scrabble competition, proudly asserting the notoriety of his country.
Ibn Ngumba’s victory was not easy, as he had to face renowned opponents from different scrabble nations. But thanks to his determination and his love for his country, he overcame the obstacles and hoisted the colors of the DRC high. His exemplary career is a testimony to the talent and perseverance of Congolese players.
Note also the difficult conditions in which Ibn Ngumba and his teammate had to travel to participate in this tournament. Lacking financial means to take the plane, they crossed the Congo River and traveled all over Congo-Brazzaville by bus to the Cameroonian border. From there, they had to find another means of transport to reach Kribi, the tournament’s host city. These sacrifices show their devotion to their country and their passion for Scrabble.
This international Scrabble tournament, baptized “the K Fokam Millionaires Tournament”, is an initiative of Daniel Essomba, emeritus Scrabble player and member of the STC Club of Yaoundé. Its objective is to take Scrabble out of precariousness and allow players to live fully from their art. This tournament therefore marks a turning point in the world of Scrabble, by laying the foundations for professional Scrabble, with the support of Dr. Paul Kammogne Fokam, the main patron of the event.
In conclusion, the K. Fokam 2023 International Scrabble Tournament was a real success, with the participation of talented players from eight African countries. The victory of Ibn Ngumba, representative of the DRC, testifies to the excellence and the potential of the Congolese players. This tournament also marks an important step in the development of professional Scrabble in Africa, thanks to the initiative of Daniel Essomba and the support of Dr. Paul Kammogne Fokam