Team Nigeria has officially kicked off preparations for the 2025 World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPAC) Championship in Ghana, with camp opening in Lagos yesterday.

Fifteen elite players, along with the technical crew, have gathered under one roof to sharpen their skills ahead of the showdown in Accra, where over 30 nations will compete for global supremacy.

Early arrivals include Emmanuel Umujose, Larry Etuwa, Ben Quickpen, Adebola Samuel, and the ever-charismatic Chinedu “Sidespin” Thorpe. Thorpe, the first to check in, praised the accommodation, saying, “This is splendid accommodation, thank you, NSF.”

Technical head and newly elected Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) board member Khaleel Adedeji urged the team to get fully settled. “Let’s make sure everyone is in by tomorrow so we can kick off solid training, team planning, and some real bonding time before WESPAC. Champions are made when no one is watching,” he said.

Adedeji added, “We’re not just preparing for games; we’re building chemistry, focus, and that winning spirit. Let’s show up ready, hungry, and united — WESPAC mode activated.”

NSF President Bright Idahosa confirmed that the contingent will depart for Accra on Sunday, determined to reclaim global dominance.

Nigeria’s scrabble warriors have a proud history, from Wellington Jighere’s historic World Championship win in 2015 to the team’s resilient second-place finish at the last edition in Las Vegas, despite a depleted roster.