She may have walked away with a silver medal at the ongoing Niger Delta Sports Festival, but for 14-year-old Ekeruche Sophia Ebube, the journey has only just begun.
The talented youngster from Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State has vowed to push harder in her quest to become one of Nigeria’s finest scrabble players declaring that her love for the game goes beyond casual competition.
“Scrabble is my passion, but winning silver is not enough,” Sophia told reporters after her impressive performance at the ongoing Niger Delta Sports festival holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
“I know I can do more. This is just the beginning of my career, and I am determined to keep working hard to become the best.”
A student of Ikorodu Junior High School in Lagos, Sophia’s rise in scrabble is a story of determination, discipline, and sacrifice. Introduced to the game during her primary school days, her passion for scrabble grew beyond hobby level, becoming a platform to challenge herself intellectually and pursue greater dreams.
“Every scrabble game is like solving a puzzle I love the challenge, I love competing, and I want to be among those selected by the Scouting and Mentorship Committee here to help me develop further and compete internationally.”
Her journey has not been without challenges. Coming from a humble background, Sophia’s family has supported her passion despite the financial demands of attending tournaments and getting the right materials for training.
Her coach, Abraham Omoroba, who has been working closely with her, is full of praise for her work ethic and hunger to succeed.
“Sophia is very focused and committed, While some players get carried away by early success, she keeps pushing herself to improve. Even after winning silver here, she was more concerned about what she could have done better.”
He added: “She studies word lists, practices consistently, and is always eager to learn from her mistakes. What she needs now is support exposure to higher-level tournaments, mentorship from experienced players, and sponsorship to aid her development.”
However, like many sports in Nigeria, Scrabble suffers from poor funding and limited opportunities for young talents to grow. Many players rely on community support and personal sacrifices to compete.
But Sophia remains undeterred. With eyes set on wearing Nigeria’s colours at international scrabble championships in the future, she believes that her story is only just beginning.
“Every medal motivates me. This silver medal reminds me that I’m not far from my dream, but I need to keep working harder,” she said with a confident smile.
As the curtain gradually draws on the Niger Delta Sports Festival, one thing is certain — the name Ekeruche Sophia Ebube may soon become a household name in Nigerian scrabble, as the young starlet continues her quest to turn passion into gold.
