Edo State First Lady, Dr Betsy Obaseki, yesterday, assessed the impact that the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) has made on the girl-child since its inception four years ago and agreed with some followers of the competition that it has, to an extent, reshaped Edo girls’ behavior.

Speaking on the competition, which kicked off with the draws on Sunday, in Benin City, Obaseki congratulated the organisers of the competition for the impact they have made on society while affirming that Edo State will remain the center of the yearly competition despite the recent events in the state’s politics.

She noted, however, that if for any reason the incoming administration decides to work against it, the board of trustees could be forced to take the competition to other states.

Obaseki assured football fans and stakeholders that the board of trustees, made up of top industrialists, businessmen, and women, has pledged to support the Betsy Obaseki Women Foundation to grow the competition, as well as, the other programs aimed at lifting the girl-child out of prostitution, teenage pregnancy, and drug abuse.

Obaseki revealed that the total prize money has been increased to N30 million, with the champion now earning N10 million, silver medallists getting N7 million, and the third and fourth place finishers will get N5 million and N3 million respectively.
There are also 10 consolation prizes at N750,000 for the other participants, she said.

“I want to use this opportunity to say thank you to members of the Organising Committee, the board of Trustees, the women’s football clubs, and all those who made the tournament a huge success in the last four years.”

We say thank you to Edo State for being the host in the four years and this is likely to change.”
One of the new developments in the championship this year is the participation of two clubs from Benin Republic, who were present during the draws held at the Banquet Hall of the Edo State Government House on Sunday.

The tournament officially flagged off at the Main Bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, yesterday, with preliminary group matches following immediately at the stadium, Western Boys High School, Ikpoba Hills, and the University of Benin Sports Complex.

The preliminary group games started yesterday with the teams broken into four groups – A to E.
In Group A are Edo Queens, FC Robo and Remo Ladies, Group B has Bayelsa, Brave Hearts Fc of Benin City, Naija Ratels, and Espoir FC of Benin Republic, with Group C comprising Nasarawa Amazons, Confluence Queens of Lokoja and Abia Angels.

In Group E are Heartland Queens of Owerri, Fortress Ladies of Benin City, Delta Babes of Asaba, and Aigle Royale of Benin Republic.

In the opening game of the competition, Heartland Queens of Owerri defeated Fortress Ladies of Benin 3-0.