BOWFT Determines To Touch Lives Of Nigeria Women, Says Obaseki
By Simeon OSAJIE
Edo State first lady Mrs. Betsy Obaseki said the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) is beyond playing football but seeks to touch the lives of women in Edo State and Nigeria.
Obaseki disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Benin City as the 4th Edition of BOWFT kicks off in Benin with 14 teams out of which nine premiership clubs participating in the event that will last 10 days.
Chairman, Board of Trustee of the BOWFT, Dr. Obaseki said the idea of the tournament is to empower women in Nigeria, supporting them to make good career out of football.
She said the tournament will certainly continue after the end of the Obaseki’s led administration because the tournament is private sector funded and sponsored with a board in place alongside a marker.
“Four years ago, we started with 12 teams and in this 4th edition, we have 14 teams with two international teams. The price involved has also increased and doubled from N5 million in the first outing to N10 million in this edition.
“After our first outing, FIFA recognized our efforts in promoting female football and empowering women and gave us an award”.
She disclosed that sports was dead in Edo State before the Obaseki’s led administration came on board 8 years ago despite as number one State in sports during the time of Samuel Ogbemudia of blessed memory.
“Governor Godwin Obaseki revived sports and ensure it brought back Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens to winning way as the Benin Clubs are now national and West African champions.
“Since this tournament, Edo Queens are getting better as they became the champion last year and continue in that line winning the WAFU Cup to represent West Africa.
“This tournament has produced players that played for our female national team and also for foreign clubs as our efforts is yielding desirable results. The tournament is helping to grow and develop female football in Nigeria also creating opportunities for our female children to make a career out of football”.
The first lady said the Obaseki’s led administration has used the tournament to tackle human trafficking as it created a platform and pathway for the girls and ensure they have a successful career in female football.
She noted that each year has its own theme for the tournament which will also have a seminar along with the the competition.
“In the first edition, the theme was girl child education, second year was, say no to drugs. For the third year it was gender base violence while for this year it’s ‘Say no to teen pregnancy and abandonment'”.
Member of Benin Republic FA and Presidential Adviser to the Benin Republic FA, President Didavi Queintin thank the organizers of the tournament as the tournament has grew over the years.
He noted that Edo Queens beats a Benin Republic team in the final of the WAFU Cup to become champions. “We are happy to be here and we are here to learn from the champion and congratulate the team for their great performance over the years”.
