Despite a   review of the Prize money for this year’s Godswill Akpabio International Scrabble Classics, the total prize money of eighteen million naira is still the highest in the world.

The President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation Mr Suleiman Gora said yesterday in Abuja, that despite a slight review of the prize monies the total amount of eighteen million naira is the highest in the world, far above the World Championship that carries a total prize money of less than $30,000 dollars.

The Scrabble President who was trying to justify why the Ebola virus scare may not grossly affect the attendance of foreign players said he was however happy to note that the star prize of $20,000 dollars equaling about N3.3 million naira for the star winner in the Masters category was still intact.

The second placed winner in the Masters category will earn $10,000 while the third place winner earns$7,272 up to ten winners.

In the Intermediate category, there will be ten winners with the first prize being $10,000, the second prize$5,454 and the third prize $3,030.

There are also ten winners in each of the Veterans and Open categories.

The Open winner will smile home with$6,667 dollars, runner up $3,636 and the second runner up$1,818 dollars same as the Veterans winners.

At the prompting of the sponsor, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State Doctor Godswill Akpabio, there are also gender friendly prizes set aside to the tune of about N400,000.

The best female Masters player will earn N100,000, the best female Intermediate player N80,000 and the best Open and Veterans female players will be paid N65,000 naira each, up to third places.

In another development, the chairman of the host Association Mr Ufot Ebong said they are set and ready to go. “….we are set. All the logistics have been put in place, by Friday entries will close and we will be in a position to know exactly how many players have entered for this year’s Classics.”

He said with over eight years experience in the hosting of the Classics and the support of the National body, he is looking forward to a hitch free Classics in the true culture and hospitality of a serene and friendly environment that Akwa Ibom State presents.