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Royalist Aabid Ismail wins World Youth Scrabble Title

In a Right Royal competition, Sri Lanka produced its first World Youth Scrabble Champion! Sixteen year-old Royalist Aabid Ismail won the WESPA Youth Cup 2017, edging out 15-year-old fellow Royalist Janul de Silva by ½ a point. Vignesh Pirapaharan (15 years) of LIS, Panadura was 8th. The victories secured by Aabid (20.5), Janul (20) and Vignesh (16) also enabled Sri Lanka to annex its third consecutive World Team Title at this event, which was conducted for players in the Under 18 age group by the World English Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA). This year’s WESPA Youth Cup (formerly known as World Youth Scrabble Championship) was held in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, from 27 – 29 November and was the largest ever, attracting 178 players from 15 countries.

Janul also emerged as the Under 16 Champion, whilst Adheesha Dissanayake (Willesden International College) emerged as the Under 10 Champion.

Royal had the distinction of having 4 members in the National Team this year, with Qays Sangani (15 years) and Pasindu Mallawarachchi (16 years) being placed 20th and 45th respectively.

Royal is the only school that has produced at least one representative throughout the 12 years of this Championship. Royalists have been consistent performers at successive World Youth Scrabble Championships, with Aabid being the 2nd runner-up, Under 16 Champion and winner of the high word score in 2016, Janul emerged 4th, as well as Under 14 Champion in 2015 and Qays was placed 8th in 2016.

Janul also represented Sri Lanka at WESPAC 2017 (formerly known as World Scrabble Championship). He was the youngest player at the Championship and secured 16 wins out of 32 games.

Aabid’s and Janul’s performances capped an excellent year for Royal Scrabblers where the following individual titles were secured, in addition to all major team titles.

 

National Scrabble Championship – Aabid Ismail

Scrabbler of the Year – Janul de Silva

Premier Players’ Tournament – Janul de Silva

Astar Scrabble Challenge International (Under 15) – Janul de Silva

Highest Rated Junior Scrabbler – Janul de Silva

Most Improved Scrabbler – Qays Sangani

School Scrabbler of the Year – Aabid Ismail

Sri Lanka Schools Scrabble Association (Under 18) – Aabid Ismail

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Royal Rugby Rally 2017

The “Royal Rugby Rally” has been organised with the aim of building up the Player Development Fund which has been setup to provide assistance in the form of clothing, equipment, meals, accommodation and transport where necessary. The Rally will commence at the Boake gates at 8.30am on the morning of the 17th of December 2017. The total number of participants has been restricted to 50 vehicles consisting of a driver and a navigator in each. The route has been mapped out and will take roughly three and a half hours to complete. The finish line will be at the Orient Club where participants and well-wishers will gather for lunch and refreshments followed by an auction of Royal Rugby memorabilia. Entertainment will be provided and the organising committee hopes to see a large number of old Royalists attending the event.

 

Participatory cost per vehicle is Rs25,000 & the cut-off date for registrations has been extended to the 10th of December 2017. You may also support the cause through a donation or provision of a banner for Rs.10,000.

 

If you wish to contribute towards the Player Development Fund, please find the account details below.

 

Bank Name : Seylan Bank

Address : Millennium Branch , Colombo , Sri Lanka

Account Name : Royal College Rugby Development Fund

Account Number : 0860-00041373-001

 

SWIFT : SEYBLKLX

 

For any clarification /assistance, please contact any of the following.

Ajita Pasqual               +94 777 364 635

Dilshan Hettiarachchi  +94 773 021 555

Dev Wijewardane        +94 776 627 701

Awais Rashid              +94 773 830 391

Rajiv Wijethunga         +94 766 260 022

Click here to download Rugby Rally Invite

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