Kunle Adelabu
The 14 – year-old Scrabble champion in Ikorodu Division and number three in the state (U – 15), Michael Ogbonna Ugochukwu, has stated that some funny moves that he made while competing at the just concluded IKODASS U-17 Indoor Games Championship opened ways for his opponents and consequently cost him the gold medal.
Michael, who is a student of the Ikorodu Senior Grammar School, Ikorodu, came third with 4 (plus 468) points.
The Scrabble prodigy, who said that he has learnt his lessons, also hinted that he is preparing hard for the National Youth Sports Festival coming up later this year in Ilorin.
“I guess it was based on the tiles that I picked because I only lost a game and that really drew me back. All that happened were based on the tiles that I picked”, he said after the tournament.
“In subsequent tournaments, I will strive to gain more points and not make my game open in any way at all because I made some funny moves which opened ways for my opponents.
“I am preparing for the National Youth Sports Festival by reading, studying hard and training. I am engaging myself. That is what is next for me”, he added.
While thanking IKODASS for providing platforms for youths to develop, Michael also described the tournament as fun.
“The tournament was fun and a good way to engage the youths as many boys who normally are on the streets converged here for this championship”.
“It is all fun, exhilarating and encouraging.
“I want to say thank you to IKODASS, the chairman and all the officials. Thank you for this opportunity, it’s really a big one”, he said.
