Accra, Ghana – Sierra Leone’s top-ranked Scrabble player, Emmanuel King Esq, has made history by finishing 10th at the World Scrabble Championship (WESPAC) 2025, held in Accra, Ghana. This remarkable achievement is a testament to his dedication and excellence in the game, following his gold medal win at the All-Africa Games.
King Esq, who has consistently demonstrated his prowess in Scrabble, secured 20 wins out of 32 games, with 12 losses and an impressive spread of +916 points. This outstanding performance solidified his position among the top competitors, earning him a respectable 10th place finish among 129 players from 29 countries.
Sierra Leone’s Scrabble team, comprising King Esq, Foday Fofanah, and Ishmael Sesay, achieved a remarkable 7th-place finish in the overall country rankings, surpassing major Scrabble powerhouses like the United States, England, Canada, Scotland, Australia, and Germany. This feat is a significant milestone for Sierra Leone, demonstrating the country’s growing presence in the global Scrabble community.
The World Scrabble Championship 2025, held in Accra, Ghana, featured players from 29 countries. Nigeria’s team put up a strong showing, with several players finishing in the top 20, including Oluwatimilehin Doko, who finished fifth in the world.
The winner of the championship was Adam Logan from Canada, who defeated Nigel Richards from New Zealand 4-2 in the best-of-seven final. This is Adam Logan’s second World Scrabble Championship title, having previously won in 2005.
Emmanuel King Esq’s achievement has been hailed as a significant milestone for Sierra Leone, highlighting the need for government support to promote Scrabble in the country. “Scrabble is not just a game; it is a tool of education, empowerment, and expression,” said Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister for Sports and Recreation, Ghana, emphasizing the game’s transformative role in fostering critical thinking, vocabulary development, emotional intelligence, and discipline among players.
The World English-Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) has also announced its new committee, elected at the Biennial General Meeting (BGM) held during WESPAC 2025. The Committee, led by Chairman Lukeman Owolabi, aims to strengthen and elevate the profile of Scrabble worldwide.
Sierra Leone’s Scrabble community is calling on the government to provide financial support to enable players to participate in international competitions and promote the game in schools.
