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Moen Gafoor sets the Bank of Guyana Sports Club on fire
By Michael Benjamin
After two days of intensity and astute word forming skills, top seed, Moen Gafoor amassed 13 points and a majestic positive spread of 3196 to maintain a staunch lead and threatens Abigail McDonald’s invincibility when the penultimate day of the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) National Open Championships ended at the Bank of Guyana Sports Club, Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown yesterday morning.
Moen Gafoor is flanked by Abigail McDonald and Robert Williams (L&R) shortly after yesterday’s sessions concluded .
However, Gafoor suffered a slight setback following a loss to Leon Belony (6) in a closely contested contest that was only decided on the final play.
Notwithstanding, McDonald hovers just behind him on 12 points and a positive spread of 1641 and barring major upsets the two look set to battle in the three best of five duel that determines the overall champion.
Robert Williams rose from virtual obscurity to close off the podium spots, finishing yesterday with 11 points and a positive spread of 1450. Among his victims were McDonald (91), Ruby Cummings (104) and Wayne Cave (46). Today he will face his toughest challenge as he is expected to play Gafoor, James Krakowsky and Fred Collins among other top guns.
After a satisfying first day on Saturday, where he scored 7 points and a positive spread of 1466, Gafoor resumed his journey yesterday morning and ended the day on top of the heap. Among his victims were Krakowsky, Maurice Munro and Orlando Michael.
Today’s encounter should be grueling especially since after three days of deep concentration and application, the players will be mentally drained. The one with staunch constitution can very well emerge victorious. Indeed, despite Gafoor’s frontline position, the championship is still not decided. Today’s results will determine the two players that will battle later on to establish the overall champion.
Meanwhile, twenty five players, all with lofty ambitions of dethroning National Scrabble Champion, Abigail McDonald, graced the starting line-up on Saturday morning last. Administrative officer in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and sports, Gervy C Harry delivered opening remarks and wished the participants good luck. He spoke of the importance of discipline and challenged GASP administrators to continue their developmental trend by taking the sport into the many regions.
Marketing Manager (Courts Guyana Inc), Pernell Cummings reiterated his organization’s support for the word formers and urged them to exercise discipline even as they enjoy themselves.
Apart from the winning the national championships, participants are battling for several auxiliary prizes including the highest bingo, highest game and highest single play among others.
To date, Gafoor has played the most unusual word, ‘Glaives’ which earned him 93 points but it was Anand Mohabir of the Enterprise Scrabble Club that made an impression with a game high score of 683 when he defeated his club mate, Wazim Dilipchand.
The tournament is organized by the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players while Courts is the exclusive sponsor.
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