‘Scrabble is a game for the youth’

250 schools to take part in national championship from tomorrow.

KARACHI:

The 23rd Pakistan Scrabble Championship starts tomorrow with the officials hoping to unearth new talent that will represent the country in the World Scrabble Championship that takes place in October.

This year’s event will reach out to 250 schools across Pakistan with an expected turnout of over 600 people.

“Scrabble in Pakistan is more important than one may think,” said Director Youth Programme Tariq Pervez. “Scrabble is not only an educational sport but it would help promote a positive image to the international world.”

The first two days of the tournament will be on an invitation-only basis for players that are considered Masters at the game.

Following the Masters event, the next stage will comprise players aged 11 to 25. One player will be chosen from the event to represent Pakistan in the World Scrabble Championship that will be held in Warsaw. Waseem Khatri has already qualified for the tournament after his efforts in the last few years.

Meanwhile, Tariq rued the lack of financial support from the government but did hope for the sponsors to take note of the growing interest in the game and come forward to promote the sport within Pakistan.

He also remained hopeful of the country hosting the 2014 World Scrabble Championship, considered to be the most prestigious scrabble tournament, and dismissed that the law-and-order situation as a concern for them.

“We’ll be playing indoors so everyone will be safe. There’s  less of a threat to us compared to playing outdoor sports so I’m very hopeful of hosting the event in 2014.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2011.