All set to flex their word power
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Malaysians will pit their word strength against international players at the seventh World Scrabble Competition 2003 in October.
“It is going to be the biggest challenge for me because I don’t have much experience with international players. I am going to do my best,” said student Aaron Chong Tye Chang during a practice session on Thursday.
At 18, Aaron is the youngest player in the squad. He and retired metallurgist Pui Cheng Wui, 56, were selected after the Scrabble playoffs recently.
The country’s number one Scrabble player Ganesh Asirvatham, 24, and Penang teacher Lam Kai Ming, 46, were picked from their rankings in the Aug 10 Malaysian Open Championship.
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BRUSHING UP:Vannitha and Ganesh checking out a game between Aaron and Pui during the practice session on Thursday. |
Malaysia is the fourth nation to be chosen for the biennial event and has been given four berths as host nation.
Previous hosts were Britain, Australia and the United States.
More than 100 competitors from 45 countries will take part, including Briton Mark Nyman, who was the 1993 champion, and Canadians David Boys (1995 champion) and Joel Wapnick (1999).
Aaron said it was fun to play the famous board game as he learnt words which were not normally used in everyday life.
“You must be willing to learn. Even after the playoffs, I couldn’t stop playing it on the Internet. I’m thankful that my parents support me all the way,” he added.
Pui, who started playing competitively in the 1990s, said he was looking forward to the competition as he wanted to improve his rankings. He had taken part in two previous championships.
A good vocabulary was the key to being a good player, he said.
Ganesh said he liked the game as he did well in it and playing Scrabble came easy to him.
“I just have this ability to play it. And I see the words in my mind,” said the Scrabble Masters Sdn Bhd project executive.
Playing competitively since 13, Ganesh said he intended to keep on playing the game and taking part in competitions.
“I remember my first tournament at the YMCA where I came out second in the junior category.
“From then on, I just kept on playing,” he said.
Ranked fourth in Malaysia, Vannitha said she hoped she would get a chance to play in the championship.
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