The organisers of the fourth Betsy Obaseki Football Tournament have announced improved rewards and better organisation for the competition, which begins on October 2 in Benin City.
The organisers said that this year’s event will feature 14 teams, with two of the clubs coming from outside the country.
Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who disclosed plans for this edition in Benin City, said that the games would hold from October 2 to 13 in designated centres across the city.
She said that the pre-season tournament would feature two women’s teams from Benin Republic to make this year’s edition more exciting.
The participating teams include Edo Queens of Benin City, Fortress Ladies, also from Benin City, Rivers Angels FC of Port Harcourt, Nasarawa Amazons FC of Lafia, Naija Ratel FC of Abuja, Heartland Queens of Owerri, FC Robo of Lagos State, and Ekiti Queens of Ado Ekiti.
Others listed for the competition are Delta Queens of Asaba, Confluence Queens of Lokoja, Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa, Abia Angels of Umuahia, Espoir FC de Cotonou of Benin Republic, and Aigle Royal d’Adjara, also from Benin Republic.
Mrs. Obaseki reassured that the BOWFT would continue to focus on grooming and empowering the girl-child and engendering grassroots sports development in the country.
Disclosing that this year’s theme is “Say No to Teenage Pregnancy and Child Motherhood,” Mrs Obaseki reeled out the impact and gains of the competition in the last four years, saying: “Since its inception in 2020, the tournament has grown remarkably, making a significant impact by providing a platform for our young girls to dream big, and pursue their passions and aspirations, while showcasing incredible talents and potential of these girls to the rest of the world.
“Beyond nurturing our local talents, the tournament has also helped position our female football players on the global stage with many of the girls from the past editions of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament representing Nigeria on the international stage with distinction.
“I am delighted to state that three of our girls from Edo Queens are currently part of Nigeria’s Falconet team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. They include Comfort Folorunsho, Chioma Olise, and Goodness Osigwe.
“This is in addition to the several international players who have participated in different editions of the tournament who are now making their mark in top-tier clubs across the globe, including Monday Gift, who played for FC Robo and now plies her trade at Granadilla Tenerife of Spain; Peace Efih, who featured for Edo Queens FC and now with Sporting de Huelva of Spain, as well as, Esther Onyenezide of FC Robo, who now plays for Madrid FCC of Spain.
“Others are Blessing Demehin of Bayelsa Queens, who currently plays for Stade de Reims of France and Rofiat Imuran, who also featured for Rivers Angels, and is now with Stade de Reims of France, among others.”
She added: “These accomplishments highlight the profound impact of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament in these past four years and stand as a testament to the calibre of talent we possess and the opportunities that lie ahead if we continue to support them and harness their potential.”
