The Scrabble Association of Zambia (SAZ) says it will host a Pan – African Scrabble Championship this year.
SAZ President Kelvin Sikazwe told ZANIS his association was honoured to be given the opportunity to host the international tournament.
 Sikazwe said it was for this reason that his association was still waiting for
authorisation from the Sports, Youth and Child Development ministry and the National
Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ).
He said the tournament is expected to be held in Lusaka or Livingstone.
He SAZ has already received confirmations from Angola, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda,
Nigeria and Ghana, among others.
“South Africa is very supportive with the preparations as they have indicated that
they would prefer the tournament takes place at the Sun Hotels in Livingstone, ‘he
said.
The winners of the championship will qualify to the World Cup Scrabble Championship
at a venue yet to be known.
Sikazwe said the championship would give participants an opportunity to elevate
their positions in the world scrabbles rating.
“Any country that would be among the top 50 with an extra slot would automatically
qualify for the World Cup which held by the United States of America.
” So if our National Champion Kalumba or any on of our players do better at the Pan
African championship they would qualify for the World Cup” he said.
Sikazwe disclosed his association has also received an invitation for the East and
Central African Scrabble Championship (ECASA) in Uganda city of Kampala.
He said since the championship was open, Zambia and South Africa are among some
countries outside East Africa invited.
And the 2007 scrabble championship kicked off on a high note with defending Champion
Paul Kalumba maintaining his lead with 5 points against 24 challengers.
Kalumba was by press time leading was at par with Kelvin Sikazwe, president of the
Scrabble Association of Zambia ( SAZ) with 5 points.
The games will be played alternatively between Copperbelt and Lusaka. The
first games were held at the Egyptian restaurant, Blue Nile courtesy of the
resturant’s management.
The monthly tournament would be part of Zambia’s preparations for the Pan African
Scrabble championship.
Meanwhile, SAZ says it plans to introduce the sport in schools and higher institutes
of learning in order to encourage the culture of reading among the pupils.
Sikazwe said only the University of Zambia was the only higher institute of
learning where the sport was popular.
He said his association was mobilising resources to purchase boards, scrabble sets
and other logistic required before introducing the sport in schools.
ZANIS
