There are certain sports that remain under the spotlight despite average performances, however, there are others which have performed phenomenally well but they still go unnoticed. Allsportspk Recognition series identifies – Scrabble Pakistan, as one of such sports which tops the Pakistanis laudable performance charts, yet has not received the due recognition.
Scrabble Pakistan is managed by the PSA – Pakistan Scrabble Association which was formed in 1989. Ms. Goshpi Avari (1982 Asian Games gold-medalist for Pakistan in
Pakistan’s World of Scrabble –
Ms. Goshpi Awari –
President Pakistan Scrabble Association
Sailing), has been the brainchild and instrumental in keeping Scrabble World of Pakistan energized.
The other founding members included Mr. Nadeem Omar (Current owner of Cricket team Quetta Gladiators), Mr. Ahmed Abu Akif, Sohail Salam, Akmal Shah, Ahmed Bagia, Mushtaq Inayatullah and Altaf Malik. All these people have been diehard Scrabble Players themselves and did all this for the love of this beautiful mind game.
In 2010, the Youth program was officially initiated by Mr. Tariq Pervez (who had been a regular Scrabble player). The basic objective of this program was to instill Scrabble skills amongst the Youth from the grass root level.
This groundbreaking program has proved to be revolutionary, as Pakistan has won all the major International Youth Scrabble tournaments, which have been held till date.
The first time Pakistan won a major tournament was back in 2013, when Moiz Ullah Baig won the World Youth Scrabble Championship held in Dubai. From then till 2019, Pakistan has had the World’s best Youth Scrabble team, having bagged all the possible youth accolades.
The 5 year official performance track record compiled by the Allsportspk Recognition team, evidences the Pakistan Scrabbles International year-by-year success from 2013. And thereby being the First to be duly qualified in the Allsportspk Recognition Series!
The two important aspects which the Allsportspk Recognition panel considered to qualify PSA as the First in Recognition Series are:
- PSA has been an absolutely self-financed body since its inception.
- The startling laurels which you shall read below are result of the dedicated efforts of the PSA core team, volunteering members and especially the Youth program.
2013
Penang International Tournament, Penang, Malaysia, 2013
- Muhammad Inayatullah – WINNER
- Four Pakistani players in the top ten
World Scrabble Championship Prague, Czech Republic, 2013
- Muhammad Inshal WINNER of the side tournament
World Youth Scrabble Championship, Dubai, 2013
- Team Position – World No. 1
- Moiz Ullah Baig – WORLD YOUTH CHAMPION
- Javeria Mirza – Runner up
- Only time in history when the winner and runner up were from the same country
2014
World Youth Scrabble Championship,
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2014
- Team Position – World No 2
- Mariam Arif – 3rd position (No. 1 Female in the World – Junior Scrabble)
Colombo International tournament, Colombo, Sri Lanka 2014
- Hasham Hadi Khan – Highest score in scrabble tournament history
2015
World Youth Scrabble Championship, Perth, Australia, 2015
- Team Position – World No. 2
- Abdullah Abbasi – Runner up
2016
World Youth Scrabble Championship Lille, France, 2016
- Team Position – World No. 2
- Monis Hussain Khan – WORLD CHAMPION under-10 age category
- Syed Imaad Ali – WORLD CHAMPION under-12 age category
- Hasham Hadi Khan – WORLD CHAMPION under-14 age category
- Three Pakistani players in the Quarter-finals
- Daniyal Sanaullah finished 4th
2017
Causeway Challenge Scrabble tournament, Joho Bahru, Malaysia, 2017
- Abdullah Abbasi – CHAMPION
Princess Cup International Youth tournament, Bangkok, Thailand 2017
- Hammad Hadi Khan – CHAMPION
- Moiz Ullah Baig – Runner up
Junior World Scrabble Championship, Nottingham, England, 2017
- Team Position No. 1 in the world
- Under-21 World Champion Matthew O’Connor (USA), Runner-up Moiz Baig
- Under-18 World Champion Ahad Riaz
- Under-16 World Champion Sohaib Sanaullah
- Under-14 World Champion Hamza Naeem
- Under-12 World Champion Syed Imaad Ali
- Under-10 World Champion Monis Hussain Khan
2018
Junior World Scrabble Championship, Torquay, England, 2018
Only time in history that all six age titles were Won by same country!
- Team Position – World No. 1
- Junior World Champion – Moiz Ullah Baig
- Under-18 World Champion Sohaib Sanaullah
- Under-16 World Champion Hamza Naeem
- Under-14 World Champion Syed Imaad Ali
- Under-12 World Champion Monis Hussain Khan
- Under-10 World Champion Misbah Ur Rehman
World Scrabble Championship, Torquay, England, 2018 (Division B)
Only time in Scrabble history that all 4 Global Youth tournaments were Won by same country.
- Hammad Hadi Khan – WINNER
- Syed Imaad Ali – Runner up
Princess Cup International Youth tournament, Bangkok, Thailand 2018
- Hassan Hadi Khan – CHAMPION
- WESPA Youth Cup, Dubai 2018
- Team Position – World No.1
- Syed Imaad Ali – CHAMPION
2019
Junior World Scrabble Championship, Torquay, England, 2019
- Team Position – World No. 1
- Junior World Champion – Syed Imaad Ali
- Under-18 World Champion – Taha Mirza
- Under-16 World Champion – Rory Kemp (Scotland)
- Under-14 World Champion – Saim Waqar
- Under-12 World Champion – Monis Hussain Khan
- Under-10 World Champion – Misbah Ur Rehman
World Scrabble Championship, Torquay, England, 2019 (Division B)
- Daniyal Sanaullah – CHAMPION
- Taha Mirza – Runner up
World Scrabble Championship, Torquay, England, 2019 (Premier Division)
- Syed Imaad Ali youngest player in history to reach the quarter finals
