Organisers of the 2026 Lekki Scrabble Classics have introduced a dedicated Under-12 category aimed at giving young players greater access to mentoring, competitive experience and structured development in the sport.
The initiative marks the first time the Lekki Scrabble Club will create a separate category for children at the Classics, a tournament traditionally dominated by more experienced players.
According to the organisers, the move is designed to create an early pathway for promising young players to sharpen their skills, gain tournament experience and potentially develop into elite Scrabble players in the future.
President of Lekki Scrabble Club, Samuel Anikoh, said exposing children to the game at an early age could help Nigeria identify and nurture future champions.
He pointed to defending champion Abdulmumeen Jimoh as an example of the benefits of starting early, noting that Jimoh has grown into one of the notable forces in the Scrabble scene.
“As an early starter himself, Jimoh is evidence that starting early does have its benefits, which is why the club is introducing a children’s section at the 2026 Lekki Classics event,” Anikoh said.
“This is building on our school Scrabble programme and providing a platform for our young, under-12 players, a chance to begin to experience competitive Scrabble.”
U-12 Category to Offer Mentoring, Competition
The organisers said the new category is intended to go beyond simply providing a playing platform for children.
Young participants are expected to benefit from mentoring and exposure to the discipline, strategy and concentration required to succeed in competitive Scrabble.
The initiative also builds on the club’s existing school Scrabble programme, which has focused on introducing the game to younger players.
By creating a dedicated tournament category, the club hopes to provide a clearer transition from school-level participation to organised competition.
The move is also expected to strengthen the talent pipeline for Scrabble in Nigeria by giving promising children the opportunity to develop alongside established players.
Early Development Seen as Key to Future Success
Scrabble requires a combination of vocabulary, strategic thinking, calculation and mental discipline, making early exposure potentially valuable for young players seeking to build competitive experience.
The organisers believe structured participation from an early age can help children develop confidence and improve their understanding of tournament play.
For the Lekki Scrabble Club, the U-12 category is therefore part of a broader attempt to expand the sport’s grassroots base and ensure that younger players are not left out of major competitive events.
The presence of experienced players at the tournament is also expected to give the children greater exposure to high-level play and provide opportunities for learning through observation and interaction.
$1,000 Top Prize for 2026 Tournament
The 2026 Lekki Scrabble Classics will hold at the Peninsula Hotel in Lagos from September 26 to 27.
The tournament carries a top cash prize of $1,000 and is expected to attract established players alongside the newly introduced Under-12 competitors.
Organisers are optimistic that the children’s category will become a regular feature of the event and contribute to the long-term development of Scrabble in Nigeria.
With the introduction of the U-12 section, the 2026 edition is set to combine elite competition with grassroots development, giving younger players a chance to begin their competitive journey on a bigger stage.
