James Emejo in Abuja
Wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, Thursday in Abuja said the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) whose maiden edition is scheduled to begin on Sunday September 26 through October 4 is not a “fluke or one-off” competition, adding that it will be an annual tournament that will be sustained in the state.
She said the competition was berthed after serious planning and projections for the future especially on its sustainability.
The wife of the Edo State Governor also clarified that the tournament is currently funded by development partners and not from the state coffers.
“We are embracing this initiative as a means of achieving sustainable growth in the sports industry in Edo State,” she said.
Mrs Obaseki said: “Obviously, this is not a fluke, it’s not a one-off thing and in Edo State we don’t do things to impress people.
“We do things with serious planning, projections for the future and for sustainability and that’s what this government is known for.
“Anything that’s happening in this government is meant, planned and designed to last for all time.
“So this is going to be an annual tournament and it has come today to stay.”
Speaking alongside the state’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, Mrs Obaseki said 12 prestigious women football clubs in the country had confirmed their attendance and participation.
She added that the medical team had been put on standby to carry out the rapid test on all the players and officials on arrival in line with COVID-19 protocols.
She said the tournament, themed:”Promoting the Girl Child,” was part of her initiatives aimed at complementing the achievements of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration in tackling the menace of gender based violence.
She pointed out that prior to the present administration in the state, human trafficking was rife with Edo occupying the ignoble position as being the foremost of the illicit trade.
Some of the clubs to feature in the inaugural edition include; Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens, Robo FC,Heartland Queens and Royal Queens. Others are; Confluence Queens, Kaduna Queens, Naija Ratels, Fortress Ladies and Rolly FC.
