More than 250 competitors from 17 countries have gathered in Subang, Malaysia for the World Youth Scrabble Championships. Among them is 12 year-old Maheu Papau T-Pole.
Of Tuvaluan heritage, Maheu is representing New Zealand alongside Cooper Ashley of Auckland and Lev Roch of Christchurch. The competition runs over three days and players will compete in 24 games. Players pick tiles from a bag and compete against the clock to score the most points.
Maheu says while he feels nervous he is excited. It’s the first world championships for the West Aucklander, having played in an online international competition and at the Australian and New Zealand Nationals.
Teammate 16-year-old Cooper, says the competition is intense. “It’s nice to see the worldwide impact of Scrabble. You realise you can get 200 kids in a room and playing Scrabble, that’s pretty amazing.”
Organising Chairman Kong Chock Heng says Scrabble should be a fun game for youth to play, but it’s also an intellectual game. He says it’s hugely popular in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Singapore, mainly because of the language.
“English is an international business language and so it is very important. It’s a mind sport so it attracts young people who want to play it.”
Yong Jian Rong began playing at eight or nine years of age and became the 2024 Singapore Champion. His passion for the sport saw him take the reins of the World Youth Champs as Tournament Director.
“In this era of artificial intelligence and digital technology, I’m glad to see these young players using a board game that uses memory skills instead of using digital devices.”
He says the game trains players in memory skills as well as critical thinking and spatial learning. There’s an element of chance too: “When they hold a new set of tiles, they have to come up with new words to outscore their opponent.”
Six-year-old Justin Eng from Australia is the youngest player in the tournament.
Of Cambodian heritage, Justin who has only been playing for only eight months, has already won six games out of 17 on day two.
When asked what he enjoys about playing, Justin says, “I learn calculation and I learn words.”
His mother, Nary, says he loves playing the board game and she’s seen him grow.
“It’s good for maths, it’s good for literacy. It’s good for your brain. And for building friendships all the way.”
Next year will be the 21st World Youth Scrabble Champs, which will be held in Kenya.
