The Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Barrister Mohamed Alphaka Conteh, has reaffirmed his commitment to promoting Scrabble in Sierra Leone, describing the game as an important tool for education, literacy and intellectual development.
Conteh made the statement during a meeting with representatives of the Sierra Leone Scrabble Association at his office, where discussions focused on expanding participation in the sport and addressing financial challenges ahead of the upcoming Africa Scrabble Championship in Monrovia, Liberia.
The NSA boss emphasised the educational benefits of Scrabble, particularly its potential to strengthen vocabulary, improve English language proficiency and develop critical thinking skills among students.
“I love the game of Scrabble because it basically rhymes with education,” Conteh stated.
As part of efforts to increase awareness and participation, Conteh revealed plans to consult NSA staff on the possibility of introducing Scrabble into the 2026 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) sporting competition.
The move, if implemented, could provide a new platform for the sport, encouraging civil servants and other participants to embrace Scrabble as both a recreational and competitive activity.
Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Scrabble Association is stepping up preparations for the continental championship in Liberia. However, inadequate financial resources remain a major obstacle to the association's participation.
Responding to the concerns raised by association members, Conteh acknowledged the government's current financial constraints but assured the delegation that efforts would be made to explore alternative sources of support.
“The time is too short, but let’s see how it goes. The government is challenged financially to provide support at this moment, but we are going to try to engage a few institutions to raise funds,” he explained.
Although no financial commitment has been confirmed, the proposed engagement with potential sponsors could offer some relief to the association as it works to secure the resources needed for the tournament.
Beyond the championship, Conteh's proposed initiatives could help strengthen the development of Scrabble nationwide, particularly by introducing the game to more students, institutions and communities.
For the Sierra Leone Scrabble Association, securing sponsorship for the African Championship remains the immediate priority, while the broader ambition is to establish Scrabble as a more widely recognised educational and competitive sport in the country.
The 16th African Scrabble Championship is scheduled to take place in Monrovia later this month, with competitors from across Africa expected to participate.
The event represents an opportunity for Sierra Leonean players to test their skills against some of the continent's leading Scrabble competitors and gain valuable international experience.