The third World Youth Scrabble Championship is set for December 9-11 in Penang, Malaysia, with the aim of having a record playing corps of more than 60 under-18-year-
The World English-language Scrabble Players Association (Wespa)-endorsed WYSC is being organised with the assistance of the Malaysian Scrabble Association, particularly with its president, Dr. Adele Tan. The WYSC foresees 22 games over the three days, with a final match between the top two finishers.
A local tour is planned for participants on the sidelines of the competition itself. Dr. Wilma Vialle (Australia) is again the tournament director.
Still to be confirmed is an automatic placement for the WYSC winner in the 10th World Scrabble Championship, as was the case in the 2006 youth championship.
Prizes are expected to be awarded to the top 10 placements as well as age-group and other categories with 3,000 ringgits (nearly US $1,000) to the winner.
"Two contests are scheduled prior to the WYSC, providing good practice for young players able to arrive in Asia early, particularly recommended for those from the US and Canada who will need to adapt to the use of a different dictionary,"
The Thai youth tournament, mooted for November 29 and 30 in Bangkok, has no minimum entry level for overseas players and offers a first prize of US $3,000. The Causeway Challenge Open on December 4-7 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, has a first prize of 5,000 ringgits (approx. US $1,500).
Quotas foresee a base 67 players from 13 countries taking part, although Richards admits that not all countries may fill their allocations.
However, other national Scrabble organisations have expressed an interest in getting into this year's WYSC and may field competitors this year.
Countries may also send up to three additional entrants beyond their set allocations, if they so wish, upon payment of a US $200 per player. The first WYSC was organised in Australia with last year's also taking place in Johor Bahru.
In 2007, Michael Tang, of Singapore, helped with the organisation, despite the tournament being located in southern Malaysia.
Both Singapore and Malaysia are members of Wespa. However, it is expected that next year's WYSC 2009 will be held in another world-association country, possibly Britain.
WYSC National Quotas
Previously competed
Country Allocation
Australia 7
Britain 4
Canada 4
India 4
Kenya 2
Malaysia 10
Persian Gulf 4
Philippines 5
Singapore 9
Sri Lanka 3
Thailand 9
USA 6
Total 67
Countries not yet having competed
Ghana 2
Indonesia 3
Ireland 2
Israel 2
Japan 2
Malta 2
New Zealand 2
Nigeria 2
Pakistan 2
Romania* 2
South Africa 2
South America 2
Tanzania 2
Zambia 2
Others, like
Nepal 2
Total 31
*and other European entrants
