Mattel India kicks off scrabble championship

Company press release, Juny 1, 2003

Mumbai

Mattel Toys India in association with the Scrabble Clubs of Mumbai and Pune announces the 'Mattel India Scrabble Championship' at Pune Club, Pune on July 5 and 6th to determine the national scrabble champion and two representatives from India for the 7TH World Scrabble Championship at Kuala Lumpur, later this year. Around 80 Scrabble Players (both men and women) from across the country are expected to converge in Pune to take part in the Mattel India Scrabble Championship.

This is the 5th all India Scrabble Championship that is being organised to determine India's representatives at World Scrabble Championships. The tournament this year has been re-christened as Mattel India Scrabble Championship, following Mattel Toys' tie-up with the Scrabble Clubs of Mumbai and Pune to promote the cause of Scrabble in the country.

The format for this tournament will be a 14-game Swiss pairing format with no repeat matches in the first 10 rounds. The first round will be a random draw, after which all the fixtures will be computed using a specialised tournament Scrabble software.

Mattel India Scrabble Championship, 2003 is expected to have a good mix of participants from all around the country. Also, the championship comprises of around 15- 20 women scribblers, signifying the popularity of the game across the sexes.

According to Kasha Bhandarkar, Chairman Mumbai Scrabble Club and also the defending champion for this year's title "I am eagerly looking forward for the tournament in Pune. Competition is going to be tough this year from contenders from cities like Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Cochin. I am also grateful to Mattel Toys for taking up the cause of Scrabble in the country. The tie-up with Mattel Toys has been a great boost for us and we will be working closely with Mattel Toys in the future to take the game to newer heights."

Says Nanette D'Sa, Marketing Director, Mattel Toys (I) Ltd. "Mattel India Scrabble Championship 2003, marks Mattel's foray into the professional circuit of Scrabble in the country. Mattel is committed to getting Indian Scrabble champions together in an event that will help participation and representation of India at the World Scrabble Competition." Mattel India holds the right of Scrabble in the country and has recently launched 'Scrabble Original' - to international standards of quality.

Mattel Toys (I) Pvt. Ltd. along with the Scrabble Clubs of Mumbai and Pune is sending an open invitation to all individuals across the country to come to Pune and be a part of the Mattel India Scrabble Championship on July 5 and 6th 2003 at the Pune Club. The registrations for the participants are still on and those interested can contact Mr. Udayan Grover from the Pune Club at the following numbers Tel: (020) 6854580/31002083(cell no), or e-mail at scrabbler@hotmail.com

About Mattel Toys India:

Mattel Toys (India) Private Limited is a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys. Mattel's portfolio in India includes world-renowned toy brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Scrabble, Pictionary and UNO. The company has a strong presence in the branded toys market and is committed to delivering superior quality and safe toy products with high play value. Today, Mattel has sought to grow and increase its presence in the country by introducing a wide range of international products

About Mumbai Scrabble Club:

Formed in January 1998 The Mumbai Scrabble Club, organises local and national level championship in Mumbai and other centres. Mumbai scrabble Club has also the distinction of organising the first ever International Scrabble Tournament in India, which attracted competitive Scrabblers from across the globe. Currently, the Mumbai Scrabble Club has a member base of about 300 people.

For details contact:

Rajdeep Barooah

Perfect Relations Pvt. Ltd.

Tel:(022) 24367155/7943

Email:rbarooah@perfectrelations.com