By Patrick Omorodion
Following the  decision of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to concession some sports to individuals and corporate organisations, Scrabble management in the country has been concessioned to Verallen Nigeria Limited.

Keith Crane and his wife Jane built this large scrabble game in their backyard in North Canton, Ohio. The scrabble game is made from paving stones. (Ken Love/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT) Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom Copyright 2009 Newscom. All rights reserved.

President of the federation, Chief Toke Aka disclosed to Saturday Vanguard sports that henceforth, Verallen are now the major financiers of the administration of scrabble, adding that “They are to provide necessary and robust funding for the federation’s activities as to progress the development and sustainability of Scrabble in Nigeria.”

Chief Aka said that in line with the guidelines of the NSC, Verallen have put in place an executive board to handle the administration of Scrabble for the next four years in the first instance.

“The NSC stipulates that the concessionaire has the right to the three major positions on the board i.e President, 1st and 2nd Vice presidents. This is seen as the much needed control for the concessionaire. Six zonal representatives are also selected to represent the six geo-political Zones,” he said.

Those to run the sport therefore are  Engr. Allen Egbe who will serve as Chairman, NSF Board and Concessionaire while  Chief Aka is President. Suleiman Gora – 1st Vice President (North Central Zonal Representative), Innocent Alelionwu – 2nd Vice President (South East Zonal Representative) and  Aminu Mohammed – North West Zonal Representative.

Others are  Faruk Babainna – North East Zonal Representative,  Jack Mpakaboari – South South Zonal Representative,  Prince Dapo Ajibade – South West Zonal Representative and former African scrabble champion,  Femi Awowade – nternational/Players Representative.