Plans put aside for global spelling bee competition

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The organisers of the Scripps National Spelling Bee said Wednesday they are putting aside plans for a global edition of the iconic US spelling competition for youngsters.

The EW Scripps media group had announced in May 2012 that an international spelling bee with teams of three spellers from the United States and other countries could be staged as early as December this year.

The concept reflected the growing number of non-Americans taking part in the US event, founded in 1925, and this year takes place on May 28-30 at a resort outside Washington.

In a statement Wednesday, the Scripps National Spelling Bee - a non-profit supported by EW Scripps which runs the competition - stated "there are no immediate plans to initiate an international spelling bee event." "After talking with numerous potential sponsors and local organisers, there is clearly enthusiasm around the international bee concept," said its director Paige Kimble, who herself won the championship in 1981.