METHSOOSA Sports Committee Media Team When Reverend Bayode Arotiowa began training students in Scrabble at Methodist High School, Owo (MHSO), using his personal board, he was simply driven by a passion to see young minds sharpen their thinking and grow in confidence.
That humble effort, started quietly in a classroom corner, has now become a remarkable success story—culminating in MHSO’s entry into the final of the maiden Olowo’s Cup Scrabble Competition. Master Olaiya Olayato, one of the earliest students mentored by Rev. Arotiowa, has emerged as the school’s shining star in the tournament.
Though his teammate, Master Bamidele, narrowly missed out on a final slot, the performance of both students is a source of pride and joy for the school community.
The journey to this point began in earnest in October 2024, when the Methodist High School Old Students Association Sports Committee (METHSOOSA) set a clear agenda: to rejuvenate sports at the school and give all sporting activities—including the often-overlooked mind sports like Scrabble—a chance to thrive. It was a bold move, but it paid off. Recognizing the growing interest and impact of Rev. Arotiowa’s informal Scrabble sessions, the committee acted swiftly by procuring a new Scrabble board for the school.
That move turned what was a personal initiative into an institutional commitment. Now equipped with the right tools, students could train more consistently, and interest in the game spread quickly. When Rev. Arotiowa had to step away, another passionate teacher in the school, Pastor Seye Ogunbodede, took over the training of the students. Thanks to the board already provided by the Sports Committee, he was able to continue and expand the sessions seamlessly. Under his guidance, the team grew stronger, and students like Olaiya honed their skills in preparation for competitions that once seemed out of reach.
Today, that quiet determination has blossomed into an achievement worth celebrating. Methodist High School is not only in the final of the Scrabble event but has also qualified for the finals in both the male and female categories of the football segment of the Olowo’s Cup. It is a moment of triumph made possible by vision, collaboration, and sacrifice. METHSOOSA’s decision to back all sports, not just the popular ones, is now yielding golden eggs.
What started as a teacher’s personal sacrifice has grown into a school-wide culture of excellence and ambition.
The story of MHSO is more than a tale of competitions and finals. It is a reminder that behind every medal is a mentor, behind every victory a vision, and behind every success a story of persistence.
As Olaiya prepares for the Scrabble final, and the football teams gear up for their own showdowns, the entire Methodist High School community stands proud—knowing they’ve already won where it matters most: in building champions from the ground up.
