Bayelsa Governor Doubles Scrabble Classic Prize Money

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State announced a significant increase in the prize money for the annual Diri National Scrabble Classic, raising the total prize pool from N20 million to N40 million. This announcement was made during the closing ceremony of the sixth edition of the championship in Yenagoa.

The winner of the Masters category in the next edition will receive N5 million. Diri instructed the state Commissioners for Sports and Education to develop a framework for incorporating scrabble into secondary school activities, emphasizing its role in promoting intellectual development and strategic thinking.

He shared his personal experience with scrabble, stating it improved his vocabulary and reasoning abilities. Diri also pledged to facilitate the inclusion of scrabble as a demonstration sport at the 2028 National Sports Festival, which Bayelsa will host, and assured support for Nigerian players heading to the World Youth Scrabble Championship in Kenya.