Team Uganda flagged off for the Africa Youth Scrabble Championship

The Assistant Commissioner in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Sam Odongo, has urged the Ugandan team competing in this year’s PANASA Africa Youth Scrabble Championship to demonstrate the highest level of discipline as they represent the country.

The championship will take place from August 14 to 17 at Brighton International School in Katani, Kenya.

This call to action came before he flagged off the team of 29 students and 21 seniors at the Cooper Chimney restaurant, located at the National Council of Sports in Lugogo. 

Odongo emphasized the importance of teamwork and encouraged the team to appreciate the benefits that sports can provide, including travel, health, economic opportunities, and networking. 

“Anyone you see who has succeeded in sports has done so because of discipline. You should also put in hard work to achieve success,” Odongo advised. 

He challenged the students to strive for excellence and “sacrifice” a little for their country as they compete in a championship featuring over 120 players from approximately 14 African countries. He advised the students to continue playing Scrabble until their A-levels to benefit from the extra points awarded to athletes before they enter higher education institutions on top of the government's rewards scheme for outstanding sportsmen. 

He expressed gratitude to the Scrabble Association of Uganda for identifying talent in schools and to the parents who support their children in representing the country.

Milton Chebet, the NCS Assistant General Secretary for Technical Affairs, commended the Scrabble Association of Uganda for its vibrant efforts in promoting the sport within the country. He urged the representatives to exhibit patriotism and to remain focused and disciplined, knowing they are representing Uganda. 

Chris Kalibbala, the leader of the delegation, stated that Uganda will be represented by 21 senior players who will compete in the Presidents Cup alongside the youth event, which includes 29 students drawn from seven schools. He noted that Scrabble enhances focus, enriches vocabulary, and improves tactical strategy and quick decision-making. 

Nelson Kyagera, the president of the Scrabble Association of Uganda, mentioned that they had collaborated closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Uganda Secondary Schools Association to select and prepare the team. He added that the senior team was chosen through regional qualifiers held in Kampala, Jinja, and other regions of the country.