International Scrabble Tournament: Ngumba Ibn wins the title of African champion
From July 2 to 8, the K. Fokam 2023 international tournament was held in Kribi, Cameroon, organized by the Professional Francophone Scrabble League. This prestigious competition brought together players from eight African countries, including Cameroon, Benin, Ivory Coast, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Gabon and Togo.
It was the Congolese Ngumba Ibn who brilliantly won the tournament, thus becoming the African Scrabble champion. Passionate about his country, Ibn Ngumba overcame many obstacles to participate in this competition. Indeed, for lack of financial means to take the plane, he and his companion crossed the Congo River before taking a long bus trip from Brazzaville to Kribi, more than 2,500 kilometers in two days.
Ibn Ngumba’s journey during this competition was impressive. After passing the group stages, he eliminated formidable opponents, including the 2022 African champion and two renowned Gabonese players. In the final, he faced Chadian champion Iram Rilengar Maxime and eventually beat him to clinch the top spot on the podium.
This international Scrabble tournament, nicknamed “the K. Fokam millionaires tournament”, was initiated by Daniel Essomba, an experienced Scrabble player and member of the STC Club of Yaoundé. Its objective is to professionalize Scrabble in Africa and allow players to live fully from this discipline. Thanks to his dedication and obtaining the sponsorship of Géremi Njitap, a former Cameroonian international footballer, Scrabble is experiencing a new boom.
Ibn Ngumba’s victory at the 2023 K. Fokam International Tournament is not only a source of pride for the Democratic Republic of Congo, but also proof of the passion and talent of African Scrabble players. This competition revealed new talents and increased the visibility of Scrabble in Africa.
Scrabble is more than just a word game. It is an intellectual sport that requires a great mastery of the language and strategic thinking. Thanks to competitions such as the K. Fokam International Tournament, Scrabble continues to grow in popularity and unite enthusiasts across the African continent.
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