Latest revision as of 10:22, 17 July 2014

On Sunday, August 10, Karen Richards, chair of the WESPA Youth Committee, will host an informational session about competing in World Youth events. Youth players and their families/mentors are invited to bring their lunch to the boardroom, located on the Marquee level of the Convention Center, during the lunch break. The session will begin at 1:15 p.m., and topics will include:

• Introducing young players and their mentors to the excitement, challenge, and benefits of competing on a world stage, as we approach the 9th World Youth Scrabble Championship (Sri Lanka, August 2014) and the MSI Youth Championship (London, November)
• How to cope with playing the Collins lexicon
• Why it looks good on your CV to have represented your country at an international "mind sports" event

Come learn more about the opportunities to travel while representing your country and playing our favorite word game with youths from around the world.

Major Youth Events around the world, 2014 – all use Collins dictionary

• ASCI – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (organised by University of Malaysia) - sections for School students, University students, and Open (which included Nigel Richards) - usually in April. Hundreds compete, mostly from Asian countries, but those from further afield are very welcome. Cheap accommodation is provided at the university.
• World Youth Scrabble Championship – August 29 to 31st in Colombo Sri Lanka for those born 1/1/1997 or later (160 players from 16 countries).
• Mind Sports International Youth Championship – November 22 and 23, London (held in conjunction with Scrabble Champions Tournament, the substitute World Scrabble Championship). Young players may also compete against the world’s finest adult players for the three days prior (Wednesday to Friday). “Youth” means those born 1/1/1997 or later. Current World Youth Champion 2013, Moiz Baig from Pakistan, will be competing in this event (as well as defending his title at WYSC 2014)
• Princess Cup 28, 29, 30 November – Bangkok, Thailand. This International Youth Tournament includes youth up to 21. Top prize is usually US$4000 (Collins division). There is also an adult Collins division held simultaneously (in which Nigel Richards competes). Around 7000 young Thai players will also be competing using TWL dictionary.

In addition to these specifically Youth events, there is a major “Crossword Game” event held in Bangkok in the middle of each year, June or July (next year will be the 30th annual event).

Kings Cup has an international (Collins) section which includes both adult and youth players, and is always exciting. Nigel Richards has won this event 10 times (occasionally someone else wins, including a teenager - Ong Suanne, from Malaysia). At this tournament, there are also 7000+ young Thai players competing in TWL. It is an incredible site, and one to be experienced at least once in a lifetime (I have competed in the last 14 Kings Cup, best placing 15th). John Chew is the director.