By  GRACE CHAILE –

THE Scrabble Association of Zambia (SAZ) has decided not to take part in the eighth edition of Godswill AKpabion International Scrabble Classics slated for Nigeria from September 24 to 28 due to Ebola crisis in that country.
SAZ vice secretary Patrick Mpundu said the association arrived at the decision of withdrawing participation for safety sake and risk of being banned from the African Scrabble Championship slated for South Africa next month.
“We really wanted to take part in this prestigious tournament but the Ebola situation in Nigeria made us to withdraw.
The other reason is that our participation may lead us to being banned from competing in the African Championship next month. The Nigerian tournament could have been the best preparatory exercise before the African championship” he said.
Meanwhile, Mpundu said the 10- member squad to represent Zambia at the Africa championship will be named this month end.
He added that two university students will be given slots in the team as a way of nurturing and exposing them to international competitions.
“Team selection is based on the rating tournaments. Eight top players in the rating tournament will definitely make the team plus two university students. We are ready for the championship and hopeful that will finish in good position,” he said.
He said SAZ has already embarked on enhancing scrabble in all the 10 provinces with the help of Zamtel by holding tournaments and therefore, began with the Copperbelt last month.
He explained that the association realises the need to spread scrabble in all provinces as a way of identifying hidden talent.