Scrabble: Gitonga eyes national title in Busia event

Kenya number 1 Allan Oyende (right) and Milly Kikechi in action during the Kisumu National Scrabble Championship on February 9, 2019 [Courtesy]

East Africa’s top seed Nderitu Gitonga will be seeking to win his seventh national title when more than 80 national scrabble masters converge in Busia for the ninth National Scrabble Circuit today.

Gitonga last won in May during the Meru National Scrabble Circuit and has to face longtime rival and former East Africa number one Allan Oyende, who is fresh from winning the Nairobi Scrabble League.

Speaking to The Standard Sports, Scrabble Kenya Chairman Bernard Amuke said the circuit, which will be played over three divisions, will be used as the final qualification event for the upcoming East, Central and South Africa Scrabble Championships (ECASA) and Pan African Scrabble Championship (PANASA).

“Scrabble Kenya will be using this circuit to select 25 players to represent the country in the ECASA and PANASA games. Ten players have already qualified so the remaining 15 slots will be determined today,” Amuke said.

He added: “This event will also feature university teams, which are preparing for the upcoming Youth Cup games.”