Liberia To Bid For 2026 African Scrabble Championship. The Scrabble tournament in Liberia recently concluded with thrilling victories and strategic brilliance at Scrabble Mania 2.0, hosted at the Boulevard Palace in Monrovia. This second edition of the tournament, which spanned three days, attracted fierce competitors, including ten international players from Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.

Highlights of the Tournament

Ghana’s Charles Tachie-Menson emerged as the ultimate champion, clinching the coveted top prize of USD 1,000. He triumphed over 35 competitors with an exceptional performance, winning 23 out of 30 games. Tachie-Menson’s achievement reaffirmed his standing as a formidable force in the global scrabble community, following his 8th-place finish in the 2024 World Scrabble Championship in the United States.

Liberia also showcased remarkable talent, with local players dominating the prize allocation. Jonathan Wesley secured second place, earning USD 700, while Malek Sheriff claimed third with USD 400. Lemuel Gibson, Liberia’s reigning champion, finished fourth, taking home USD 225, and Fred Kantan completed the top five, earning USD 175.

Government and Organizational Support

During the closing ceremony, Assistant Minister for Sports Murvee Gray commended the scrabble community for organizing a successful event without prior government backing. He emphasized the government’s renewed commitment, citing a USD 5,000 budget allocation for scrabble activities in 2025.

Gray remarked, “Your self-sufficiency and dedication demonstrate why we are committed to supporting scrabble in Liberia.”

Lester Morris, President of the National Scrabble Association of Liberia (NASAL), made a noteworthy announcement: Liberia is bidding to host the 2026 African Scrabble Championship (ASC). “This tournament’s success underscores our readiness to host international events,” Morris said, revealing plans to elevate the prize pool to USD 5,000 in future editions and offer a USD 7,000 star prize for the ASC.

A Growing Scrabble Community

The tournament distributed USD 3,000 in cash prizes and trophies, thanks to sponsors like NASSCORP, NPA, Carocolet Farm, and Boulevard Palace. Local players demonstrated their growing prowess, with seven Liberians finishing in the prize list, including Wesley and Sheriff, who both achieved 19 wins, separated only by their spread scores.

Former champion Samuel Kallon also delivered a strong performance, showcasing the depth of talent in Liberia’s scrabble scene.

2026 African Scrabble Championship: Looking Ahead

The success of Scrabble Mania 2.0 has cemented Liberia’s reputation as a key player in the scrabble community. The nation’s ambition to host the 2026 African Scrabble Championship promises even greater opportunities for local and international players to shine.

As Morris aptly noted, “This is just the beginning. We are committed to creating an even more vibrant platform for scrabble enthusiasts across Africa.”

Stay tuned for updates on the scrabble community in Liberia as it continues to grow, innovate, and inspire.