By Amara Konneh
MONROVIA, June 10 (LINA) – The Deputy Minister for Youth Development at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, J. Bryant McGill, has called on Liberian youths to see scrabble not only as a game for entertainment but also as a vital educational tool that fosters students’ vocabulary and increase their critical thinking skills.
Speaking Monday, June 9, 2025, during a visit tour with the PAN African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President at the Ministry, Minister McGill urged Liberia’s Youthful Population to consider the game of scrabble as a significant instrument that can improve students’ vocabularies.
He added that the sport improves students’ strategic thinking, enhances cognitive skills, expands spelling, communication and improves literacy, and at the same time, calls on Liberians to see PANASA President Adekoyejoe Adegbesan as a role model.
He assured the youths that the Ministry will work collaboratively with PANASA’ Leadership and other stakeholders in and out of Liberia to better the scrabble game for Liberian Players and provide logistical support for Liberian athletes participating in the 2nd Edition of the African Youth Scrabble Championship, scheduled for August 14–17, 2025, in Kenya.
Minister McGill added that Liberia is on the rise, as he expressed conviction that the scrabble team will make a better representation for the country, stressing that he has no doubt that Liberia intellectual giants will go and return victorious.
For his part, the President of PANASA expressed his gratitude to the Youth and Sports Ministry for providing him the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with them.
He urged the Government of Liberia to support the team with air travel arrangements for any competition, noting that stress-free travel would significantly boost their chances of excelling.
It can be recalled that during the inaugural championship held in Nigeria two years ago, Liberian athletes had to travel by road from Monrovia – spending a grueling nine days round-trip, however, the PANASA official emphasized that such a journey affects athletes’ physical and mental well-being, thereby impacting their performance.
The PANASA President wants the Youth and Sports Ministry to address the challenges faced with the Liberia Scrabble Team that has affected their performance over the years, challenged the Government to improve the scrabble sector which would improve their physical and mental well-being and avoid the recurrence of what happened during the last edition, pointing out that of 120 participants, Liberia was the only country that arrived by road.
As part of his visit to Liberia, PANASA President is expected to begin a tour of high schools in Paynesville and Monrovia on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, to raise awareness on scrabble and promote its intellectual benefits among students and to showcase the African Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy.
President Adegbesan will make several stops to assess the country’s infrastructure, including hotels and venues in preparation for Liberia hosting of the African Scrabble Championship in October 2026.
