Talking about Scrabble in Dubai

Like chess, scrabble is a very popular board game accross different countries in the world. In fact a five-year old child knows how to play this board game. However to be an expert and a champion in this game can be a real eye catcher. Imagine yourself having words in your mind that are worth hundred points or more in scrabble.

When talking to Nikhil Soneja, a scrabble enthusiast in Dubai it was shocking to know that there are ten of thousands or players clubs and tournament scrabble teams in other countries but not in Dubai! Besides, there must be people in Dubai who are avid  scrabble players but do not know where to find other people who share the same interest.

Nikhil Soneja talks to Dubai Lime about his initiative to form regular scrabble tournaments in Dubai and a Scrabble Community to support and gather those people who are expert and passionate about this board game.

Here's Dubai Lime's interview with Nikhil. 

How long you been living in Dubai?

Well, have had two stints in the UAE (from 1984-1991 and 1997 to date) bookending my high school years in Bahrain, so have been in the Gulf for 24 of my 30 years!

Where you from originally?

I'm from New Delhi, India.

Besides thinking about the next words in scrabble what do you do in Dubai?

I work as Head Of Research & Development for Industry Networks FZE, a Sharjah-based software company responsible for the construction industry portal.

Talking about Scrabble

What age did you start playing scrabble?

I started playing with my mom at home when I was 11 or 12, but first got into the competitive game when I joined school in Bahrain in 1991 (when I was 13). I noticed two of my classmates practising for a tournament during recess -  was intrigued at the new dimension to what was till then just another board game, joined the Bahrain Scrabble League the same day!

When did you start to like scrabble so much that it became a great interest of yours?

Well, the first few times playing in the league were daunting, but the Bahrain group was very nurturing to young players taking an interest in the game (primarily thanks to a gentleman named Roy Kietzman, who is still the driving force today behind Gulf Scrabble), and it wasn't long before I understood the intricacies of the game. Once you do, you're inevitably hooked.  So I'd say, it didn't take more than a month from me joining the league when I was 13, that I developed such an interest.

How good are you at scrabble?

Have had my moments. I'd say I was at my best when I was 18-23 years old. When I was in school/college and could devote adequate time to the game. Prior to leaving Bahrain, I was ranked second in the country for two years in a row. My best place finish in the Annual Gulf Masters tournament (the yearly highlight of the Gulf Scrabble calendar) is 4th. While representing the UAE, in 2001 (which qualified me for the World Championship, though I wasn't able to attend...hope to make it again in the near future!).  Also won the inaugural Statesman Scrabble Open in Kolkata, India, a few years ago, whilst on holidays there.

What can you say about "scrabble" as a pass time for people in Dubai?

Scrabble is ideal as a pastime in a place like Dubai, given the hustle and bustle of daily life here, there's nothing like a game of Scrabble to stimulate tired minds at the end of a long work day or week. It's a great social activity also, since Scrabble clubs bring together various communities. From past experience, the game has never been the domain of any single nationality, in spite of its roots in a single language.  I'd say its far more an analytical, almost mathematical game, (similar to chess), than a language based one.  Would recommend the game even to people who don't consider English their first language.

The other great thing about the game is, the age is not a matter in this game. The Gulf tournament is an interesting cross section, where in the past we've seen players ranging from as young as 9 years old to those in their late sixties!  And they've all been highly competitive.

How about building a huge "scrabble community"?

I think the seeds are definitely there. One just needs to see how many people are playing Scrabulous on Facebook, or list Scrabble as one of their foremost hobbies. If one looks at a country like Bahrain, with a much smaller population, there has been an active and fervent Scrabble community blossoming since 1988, and they still meet at least twice a week, Whether for informal games or for serious competition.  Its interesting to note that 5 out of the 8 players who represented the UAE this time in the Gulf Tournament, actually started playing in Bahrain.  I think another lesson we can learn from the Bahrain league, is how to encourage youngsters and Arab players to take up the game.

Do you think Dubai needs more scrabble tournaments? If yes why?

Dubai definitely needs more tournaments, our players for years, have been good travelers, winning places of prestige in tournaments around the globe. Indeed our top seed, Akshay Bhandarkar, finished 5th in the last World Championship and is considered a heavyweight in the world game.  It would be nice to have some tournaments here, so we can celebrate a home win!  That aside, various highly ranked players from around the Gulf (and elswhere in the world, where our players have travelled for tournaments), have expressed a keen interest to take part in a tournament in Dubai, particularly our neighbours in Oman, we have often mulled over the idea of a UAE vs Oman tourney, but have never been able to get it off ground, for lack of backing. 

Also, the Gulf tournament has been held in Bahrain every year, and we would love to be in a position here to repay that favour and play hosts for a change.

Aside from that, there should be a lot of special interest tournaments to encourage new comers. School tournaments and Open tournaments where experience is no bar. Scrabble is a fun, inclusive game, and a tournament would be a great platform to spark interest.

You mentioned that there are already few people in Dubai who play scrabble, where do you usually meet and when?

Unfortunately we've not had a regular venue in a while now. Up until a few years ago, we met regularly at the Indian Sports Club on a weekly basis. Since then, we have had makeshift venues, at various players' offices/residences. However without a fixed venue, it has been very difficult  to make these weekly meetings interesting, and hence they have dwindled away. Though the die hard amongst us still meet of their own accord to play regularly. I think a lot of the players play Scrabble on the internet now, but we've often lamented the loss of our weekly meets, and would love to get it back on track, with the right backing.  As for now, we try our best to have a mini-tournament once a month at various locations.

For those people who love scrabble, what can they do to help you?

Well, strength is in numbers, so the simplest thing they can do is show up!  Let us know of your interest in the game, even if it is just a cursory interest. Mark my words, thats how its started for most of us, just through sheer curiosity, and here we are years later traveling the world to play in tournaments!  We've tried to organize ourselves over the internet, through various mailing lists and Facebook groups, but I think people are still quite reticent about joining up, since they don't understand how a casual game that they enjoy might be played competitively.  Should we get enough people curious about the game, would be happy to organize a workshop/seminar to give tips. Moreexperienced players amongst us have already offered to share their skills with all comers.

Most of us started playing on a coffee table at home to while away the afternoon, but competitive scrabble takes that enjoyment to the next level!  One just needs to see the fervour with which our players go about the game, to recognize how fulfilling a pastime it is!

A  scrabble tournament will be held at Grind Cafe for more information please click the link below. If you would like to play or support Nikhil, you can also find his contact details on this link.

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