Edo State is abuzz with anticipation as camp opens tomorrow, October 22, 2023, for the third edition of the annual Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) scheduled to hold in Benin City, the Edo State capital, between Monday, 23rd of October and Wednesday 1st of November, 2023.
The preseason football competition will see 13 prominent teams from the Nigerian Women’s Football League (NWFL) battle for the N60 million aggregate prize at four sports facilities in the State, including the magnificent Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, University of Benin Sports Complex, Western Boys Mini-Stadium and the Edo State College of Nursing and Health Sciences Mini-Stadium.
The participating teams are Edo Queens, Naija Ratels, Remo Stars, Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, Confluence Queens, FC Robo, Fortress FC, Heartland Queens, Rivers Angel, Delta Queens, Ekiti Queens and Osun Babes FC.
BOWFT is an initiative of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki in collaboration with private sector partners to groom and empower the girl-child, and engender grassroots sports development in Edo State and Nigeria, while promoting causes that raise awareness about and discourage social vices.
This year’s edition with the theme, “End Gender-Based Violence,” is targeted at raising awareness and generating public interest in the need to eradicate gender-based violence in all its forms and spotlight the efforts undertaken by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led State Government over the past seven years to combat gender-based violence in the State.
Activities lined up for the commencement of the 2023 edition kicked off yesterday with the draws and official unveiling of the mascot and theme song of the tournament, at the Presidential Villa, in Government House, Benin City.
Speaking to newsmen at the weekend, in Benin City, the Chairman, Communications Sub-Committee for the tournament, Crusoe Osagie, said all is set for the hosting of the preseason tournament which promises to be an unforgettable sporting spectacle.
According to him, “All is set for the hosting of the competition, known for its eclectic atmosphere. The participating teams will be arriving in Benin City tomorrow, Sunday, October 22, 2023. All the required facilities have been put in place as the participating team will be received on arrival on the same day at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
“We are ready to receive the participating teams, officials, spectators, and visitors alike. Fans and supporters are eager to throng the tournament venues, ready to cheer their teams to victory. Local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and transportation services, among others, are all set to benefit from the event which promises to be an unforgettable sporting spectacle.”
