. World English-Language Scrabble Players Association

Pakistan Hosts 750 Player Tournament


The Horlicks 17th Inter School Scrabble Championship turned out to be another monstrous event with over 750 players participating under one roof.

It was one of the biggest scrabble tournaments in the world and the biggest tournament of any single sport in Pakistan.

Players from around 100 schools and colleges took part. For the first time shuttle buses were arranged to transport such a large number of players from different parts of the city as the venue was a bit far from the downtown area.

There was a large attendance from other cities. Players from as far as Peshawar flew in to participate, some event features among winners. Muhammad Hussain took a 20-hour train journey along with friends from a remote town near the Afghanistan border to Karachi and won a trophy.

I am sure the celebrations in their town would be just like he has won the world championship!

BVS Parsi school emerged as the most formidable force in scrabble bagging the highest number of positions in all age groups.

A group of 80 top performers will be chosen for training by the Pakistan's No. 1 player Waseem Khatri. Ten players will finally be chosen to represent Pakistan at the World Youth Scrabble Championship to be played in France in August.

Like all recent events this tournament was also managed by a group of teenage players who have represented Pakistan in international tournaments. These players, although of the same age (some even younger) as the participants were working as officials presenting a great example to fellow students to follow and emulate.

8 Year old Saim Usmani and 10 year old Hasham Hadi Khan were proudly wearing the "official" badges and guiding players much older than them about the rules and regulations.

Giant posters with the pictures of Pakistan's young heroes were displayed at the venue. Many newcomers were amazed to see that Pakistan has done so well internationally especially at the youth level.

Lot's of players took Selfies with the young starlets in front of these posters giving moments of great pride for both the newcomer and the young starlet.

14 years old Eeman Tariq (my daughter) was the Mistress of the Ceremony while 6 teenage players including former World Youth Champion Moiz Baig were the Assistant Tournament Directors of each category.

I was the overall TD as usual.

World famous brand Horlicks was the sole sponsor. Pakistan's first sports channel Geo Super was contracted as the exclusive media partner. Tickers and promos were on air a few days before the event.

A detailed program along with player's interviews will be aired within a few days.

Players were divided into six age groups; the youngest being "Under Ten" age category Here are the winners:

Category A
1- Monis Hussain Khan (BVS Parsi School)
2- Rahim Asif (BVS Parsi School)
3- M. Raza Yasin (BVS Parsi School)

Category B
1- Syed Imaad Ali (BVS Parsi School)
2- Umna Saad (Jaffer Public School)
3- Dominique Rodrigues

Category C
1- Mahrukh Zaim (Arts & Science Academy)
2- M. Fayzan Farooq (Jaffar Public School)
3- Muhammad Usman (Army Public School)

Category D
1- Basil Ali Khan (Jaffar Public School)
2- Aleeza Ahmed (St. Jude's High School)
3- Danial Iqbal (The City School PAF Chapter)

Category E
1- Maryam Pardesi (St. Michael's convent School)
2- Nadia Aslam (SM Public Academy)
3- Imaad Amin Rajan (The City School PECHS)

Category F
1- Murtaza Darbar Habib Public School)
2- Muhammad Hussain (Paragon Educational Academy, Quetta)
3- Sabir Khwaja (Aga Khan School, Hyderabad)

Tariq Pervez
Tournament Director



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