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In the realm of competitive sports, the predominant image is often that of football, with stadiums resonating with the energy of athletes sprinting across the field. However, within this arena of athleticism, there emerges a remarkable 15-year-old prodigy, Hauwa Abdullahi, who aspires to excel in a different type of championship, one where words, rather than physical prowess, take center stage. Abdullahi is determined to conquer the ultimate challenge: the Scrabble World Championships.

Her journey is a testament to the power of intellect and the unwavering commitment of a young mind that is set on achieving greatness in a sport that celebrates the art of words above physical feats.

Abdullahi revealed that she was introduced to the sport at the age of nine through a friend of her elder sister. Initially, they played Scrabble for fun, but gradually, their interest deepened. They began taking the game more seriously and received professional guidance from Plateau State scrabble coach, Negro Igbinadolor. He became Abdullahi’s coach, and they began participating in competitions within the state.

Abdullahi, who recently graduated from Creative Minds International Academy in Plateau State, expressed her deep passion for the game and her aspiration to become a world champion in Scrabble. She emphasized that Scrabble is not merely a game for her; it’s something she has grown to love, and she has no intention of quitting. She values the game’s intellectual challenges and is determined to continue improving her skills.

The teenager celebrated her 15th birthday on September 30 and has received unwavering support from her parents since her early involvement in the sport. Her parents readily consented when the scrabble coach introduced them to the sport, and they have been consistently supportive of her journey.

Abdullahi shared one of her happiest moments in the sport, which occurred at the Youth Games in 2021 in Ilorin. During that event, she won gold medals in both the singles and doubles categories. She also won a gold medal in the team competition this year. Her track record includes medals from the three National Youth Games she has participated in, starting from 2019 in Ilorin and continuing to 2023 in Asaba, Delta State, where she achieved at least one gold medal in each edition.

While there have been joyful moments, there have also been challenging times in her Scrabble journey. Her saddest moment took place at the PANASA/Winifred Awosika Foundation Africa Youth Scrabble Championship in Lagos last August. She mentioned feeling unprepared for the competition due to her focus on her school exams, and her performance was not as she had expected. It was a tough experience for her, and she expressed disappointment in her performance during the event.

Like many young athletes balancing sports with education, Abdullahi has occasionally contemplated quitting the sport she loves. However, despite the challenges, she cannot see herself giving up on Scrabble. She manages her Scrabble and school life, prioritizing her education, but her love for the game keeps her committed.

Plateau scrabble coach Negro Igbinadolor, who has trained and coached Abdullahi to multiple medals, recognizes her meticulousness as one of her greatest strengths. He noticed her attention to detail early on, and her dedication to preserving and organizing the materials he provided was an important factor in his assessment of her potential. He praised her ability to follow instructions, her seriousness about the sport, and her strong foundation in the game. Igbinadolor believes that with guidance, Abdullahi has the potential to excel not only in Scrabble but also as an athlete in her state and country. He has confidence in her ability to go far in the sport with the right support.