Gateway Games: Scrabble makes history with first ever live streaming at sports Festival

Scrabble achieved a historic milestone at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games 2024”, as it was streamed live for the first time in the event’s history, reaching a global audience from Ikenne, Ogun State.

The cerebral board game, known for its blend of vocabulary and strategy, made its National Sports Festival debut in 2004 in Abuja.

However, for over two decades, the game’s audience remained confined to physical venues—until now.

This year’s edition broke new ground as 186 players from 24 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), gathered at the Multi-purpose Hall of the Remo Stars Sports Complex to compete across 12 scrabble categories.

The live streaming of matches allowed fans and enthusiasts from around the world to witness the action in real-time, a first in the history of the festival.

The opening game, played by reigning African champion Oluwatimilehin Doko on Table 1, drew thousands of virtual spectators, marking a turning point for the visibility and popularity of the game within Nigeria’s premier multi-sport event.

Leading the charge for this innovation was the Ogun State Scrabble Association, under the leadership of Adekoyejo Adegbesan—who also serves as President of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA).

Adegbesan, working closely with Nigeria Scrabble Federation President Olobatoke Aka, ensured scrabble was well represented within the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC).

“We as hosts have pulled no stops in delivering a great experience at the National Sports Festival,” Adegbesan said.

“We are excited that this historic step has been taken. Scrabble lovers from around the country and internationally have followed the games closely.

“Even here at the venue, you can see spectators glued to their screens, tracking every move on Table 1.”

He described the live broadcast as a “giant leap” for the growth of scrabble in Nigeria and across Africa, noting that the global reach of the streaming effort has opened new opportunities for engagement and recognition.

The scrabble segment of the Gateway Games 2024 runs from May 23 to 27 and continues to draw attention, not just for its competitive gameplay but for the groundbreaking exposure it has received through digital platforms.

This move is expected to significantly elevate the profile of the National Sports Festival and inspire similar innovations across other sporting categories in future editions.

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