Gateway College Colombo has reached a historic milestone at the All-Island Schools Scrabble Championship 2025, with its Under-20 team clinching the national title for the first time in the school’s history.

Organised by the Scrabble League of Sri Lanka (SLSL), the finals brought together the country’s top-performing schools for an intense display of word power and strategic skill. S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia emerged as runner-up, followed by Richmond College, Galle, Southlands College, Galle, and Ladies’ College, Colombo, who secured the 3rd, 4th, and 5th positions respectively.

Despite finishing third at the Western Province qualifiers, the Gateway U20 team — led by captain Tharun Priyadharshan — rose to the challenge at the national finals, displaying remarkable focus, resilience, and teamwork to triumph in several tightly contested matches. Tharun, along with Adheesha Dissanayake, Imad Irshad, Inam Irshad, DulainWanigasekara, and Shanilka Rodrigo, demonstrated exceptional consistency and composure throughout the tournament. This victory marks a defining chapter in Gateway’s Scrabble journey, reflecting the dedication, skill, and steady growth of its young players.

U12 Team Also Shines with Strong Performances and Promising Potential

Gateway’s success extended beyond the U20 category. The Under-12 team — comprising Bodhi Hettiarachchi, Dimitri Mahabage, KenukaSamarathunga, Gaius Jayasinghe, Abinu Muthukumarana, and SesheeAlagiyawanna — delivered a spirited performance at the All-Island Finals, finishing 6th overall.

Earlier, at the Western Province Qualifiers held at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, the team made history by remaining undefeated and finishing so far ahead in points that they were not required to play the final round — a rare achievement in the competition’s history. Their success at both provincial and national levels highlights their immense promise and potential for future success.

Individual Highlights and International Achievements

Gateway players also made their mark in individual competitions this year. Inam Irshad was named Scrabbler of the Year 2025 by the Scrabble League of Sri Lanka after winning all three legs of the annual event with a total of 24 points, showcasing his strategic brilliance and consistency.

At the Grandmaster School Scrabble Tournament (Western Qualifier), Dimitri Mahabage placed 4th in the U12 category, while Mohamed Imad Irshad secured 3rd place in the U20 category — both demonstrating commendable individual performances.

Meanwhile, Adheesha Dissanayake represented Sri Lanka at the Autocar Bangkok Open 2025, an international open tournament attracting top players from across Asia. Competing independently, he finished 19th overall, gaining valuable international experience and exposure to elite-level competition.

A Growing Legacy of Excellence

The 2025 season marks a defining year for Gateway College’s Scrabble programme. Under the expert guidance of Coach Mr. Raashid and the dedicated support of Ms. Engsi Mahajudeen, Teacher-in-Charge, Gateway has now firmly established itself as a rising powerhouse in school Scrabble.

With a blend of talent, teamwork, and mentorship, Gateway continues to build a strong legacy of excellence — inspiring the next generation of wordsmiths to excel both nationally and internationally.