The K. Fokam 2023 international tournament, organized by the Ligue Professionnelle de Scrabble Francophone, has just concluded in Kribi, Cameroon. This event brought together eight African countries, including Cameroon, Benin, Ivory Coast, Niger, DRC, Chad, Gabon and Togo. The big winner of this prestigious tournament is Ngumba Ibn, a Congolese player who has distinguished himself by his mastery of the game.
This tournament, also known as the “K Fokam Millionaire Tournament”, attracted forty-nine participants, including two Congolese. After a group stage, where the players competed in groups of six, the DRC knew how to shine to reach the final, where Ngumba Ibn won a resounding victory against the Chadian player Iram Rilengar Maxime. Thus, Ibn Ngumba became the African champion of this renowned scrabble competition.
This victorious course was not without difficulties for the Congolese player. He faced arduous travel conditions, crossing the Congo River by bus from Brazzaville to the Cameroonian border, before finding another means of transport to reach Kribi. These logistical challenges were overcome out of love for his country and a pride in representing the DRC on the podium.
This international Scrabble tournament, initiated by Daniel Essomba, nicknamed “Master Gypsy”, aims to bring Scrabble out of precariousness and allow players to live fully from their art. Its ambition is to professionalize Scrabble and change the image of the sport of the mind in Cameroon. The support of personalities such as Géremi Njitap, a former international football player, has also contributed to the fame and success of this event.
The K. Fokam 2023 tournament not only showcased the talent and passion of African scrabble players, but also highlighted the challenges they face in participating in such competitions. Despite the difficulties, Ngumba Ibn was able to shine and hoist the Congolese flag to the top of the podium. This victory marks not only his personal success, but also the recognition of the potential of Scrabble in Africa and its influence in the world