Liberia is preparing to host more than 120 Scrabble players from approximately 24 African countries for the 16th Africa Scrabble Championship, marking the country’s first time hosting the prestigious continental competition.
The championship, scheduled for October 22–25 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, is expected to boost Liberia’s sporting profile, promote intellectual competition and create opportunities for local businesses.
Speaking at a press stakeout on Friday, James Lynch Monbo Sr., Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, described the tournament as an opportunity for Liberia to demonstrate its capacity to host major continental events while strengthening the development of Scrabble nationwide.
Organized under the auspices of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), the championship began in Kenya in 1994. Liberia’s hosting of the 16th edition comes 32 years after the competition’s inception.
Nigeria enters the tournament as the dominant force, having won 14 of the 15 previous editions. South Africa’s Trevor Hovelmeier claimed the only other title in 2002, while Nigeria’s Oluwatimilehin Doko won the most recent championship in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2024.
However, Liberia is banking on its growing competitiveness following the national team’s silver-medal finish at the 2024 African Games in Accra, Ghana, where it finished behind Uganda.
Monbo said the championship would provide Liberian players with an opportunity to compete alongside Africa’s leading Scrabble talents while encouraging greater participation among young people.
He emphasized that Scrabble extends beyond competition, describing it as a tool for improving vocabulary, spelling, concentration, numeracy and problem-solving skills.
The organizing committee hopes the event will stimulate the establishment of more school clubs, strengthen existing Scrabble associations and encourage interschool competitions across the country.
Monbo also said the influx of players, officials and supporters could benefit hotels, restaurants, transportation providers and other local businesses.
The chairman expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), the National Port Authority (NPA), and Tuzee en Afrique Tours for supporting the championship.
He called on additional government institutions, banks and private businesses to provide financial sponsorship, services and other practical assistance to ensure the tournament’s success and support the long-term development of Scrabble in Liberia.
Monbo further commended PANASA for entrusting Liberia with the hosting responsibility, while acknowledging the leadership of the National Scrabble Association of Liberia (NASAL), volunteers and organizing committee members.
He urged the media to provide accurate coverage of the competition and called on Liberians to rally behind the national team.
With the championship just days away, Liberia is preparing to welcome delegations from across the continent in an event expected to test both the organizational capacity of the host country and the competitive strength of its players.
The tournament also presents an opportunity for Liberia to build on its recent achievements and establish a stronger foundation for intellectual sports and youth development.
The 16th Africa Scrabble Championship runs from October 22 to 25, 2026, in Monrovia.
