Mrs Obaseki Centre, flanked by members of BOT of BOWFT
By Kingsley Abavo in Benin
As the 4th edition of the annual Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) holds in Benin, the Edo State Capital, the vision bearer; Mrs. Betsy Obaseki has assured of its continuity.
While briefing the media in Benin Monday morning on the itinerary of the tournament, Mrs. Obaseki gave the assurance in reaction to doubts expressed by enthusiasts as the Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration would exit power in a few weeks time.
The tournament is a private sector sponsored she disclosed; adding that for the BOWFT, a board of trustees have been instituted.
The board comprises “men and women of note and stature, renowned, highly successful, high net worth individuals and personalities in this country, with her (Mrs. Obaseki) as Chairman.
Senator Daisy Danjuma, and the Managing director, Chief executive officer, Lift Above Poverty (LAPO), Godwin Ehogiamisoe are members of the board amongst others, she revealed.
“We already have agreement with a lot of companies; many of which are friends of my husband, to keep the tournament going.
“So, that is the bedrock to ensure that this tournament continues even in and out of the office.”
Mrs. Obaseki asserts; the vision concept for the tournament, is a very high one; predicting it would some day go beyond the boundaries of Africa.
“That is where we are headed; we are not joking here and with God on our side, we will get there!
“From the first year we set out to embark on this initiative, we are glad to see progress, we are glad to see huge impact and we are glad to see growth,” she said.
The First Lady of Edo State appreciates all stakeholders especially the organising committee members; who she pointed out are thorough professionals, for the support all through the years and continued participation in the tournament.
She explained; that the tournament began with 12 teams but 14 teams will be participating in this year’s edition, with two teams from the Benin Republic; Esquire FC, and Angli Royale while the remaining 12 are top teams in the Nigeria Women Football Premier League.
Tournament purpose
Mrs. Obaseki said; the tournament idea is to empower women and girls in Nigeria and beyond asserting in this focus; it has attracted the FIFA award to the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
“So that early Award from such a highly esteemed organisation; the apex football organisation in the world has given us the impetus to take this tournament to a higher height on a yearly basis.
“The prize money has doubled after three years; from N5m when the tournament began, to N10m for the overall winner, N7m from N3m for the runners up, N5m from N1.5m for the third place winner, and the fourth position team will have N3m from N750,000, while every other participant will go home with the prize sum of N750,000. Total prize money for the tournament is N28,250,000.
BOWFT impacts
The first Lady of Edo recounts what she termed: “the high impact and values” the tournament has brought about.
“When the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration came in eight years ago, sports was dead; completely non existent and that was heart breaking considering that this State was known as a foremost sporting State in Nigeria.
“But I am proud to say that since the birth of the BOWFT, Edo Queens have become better and better … so Edo Queens have come from nothing to be number one in Nigeria today.
“Also players have been discovered in the BOWFT for the female football national teams; as well as overseas football clubs.
“We are happy and proud that our efforts are yielding the desirable results and impacts on our citizenry.
“In all, this tournament is helping to grow and develop women’s football in Nigeria in particular, and give our young girls the opportunity to carve a career in football.”
In the same vein, she asserts; that Obaseki’s administration has been able to deploy the BOWFT as one of the tools to tackle and reduce to the barest minimum; the negative image of women trafficking and prostitution hitherto attributed to Edo.
“For us, it is not just about playing football; we seek to go beyond that, talk about the issues that affect the lives of our young girls and women not just in Edo State, but the country.”
Hence on the sidelines, a high level seminar that touches on social vices that affects young women and girls would be held with the theme of the tournament; ‘Say No to Teen Pregnancy and Abandonment’ as a topic of discussion, Mrs. Obaseki said.
Further, she disclosed that the seminar usually is billed for a day before the finals and close of the tournament, with top stakeholders across the country on ground to adequately, do justice to the topic.
Continuing she laments; ‘Teen Pregnancy and Abandonment’ has become a growing phenomenon in the South – South region of Nigeria.
“We have found that the problem of militancy especially in the riverine areas of the south – south States; young girls and women being raped, abused and put in the family way;
“Young girls who are supposed to be in school get education and employment, are now being forced to have babies they do not have the capacity to cater for; and what is more annoying and pathetic; the men who impregnated them, abandon them and their babies.
“It is a growing pandemic in the south – south States, and south – south Governors’ wives have taken it up as a project, and I thought I should kick and add more impetus to this fight, just before I leave as Governor’s wife, and to sustain the push of the fight in the south – south region.”
Meanwhile, Edo FA Chairman Fred Newton Erhunmwunse in his remarks, described the tournament as the “best and finest pre-season competition not only in Nigeria, but Africa.”
Pointing out that it is very competitive, Erhunmwunse commended Mrs. Obaseki for the vision and initiative.
Also speaking, Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Edo State Chapter, Khinde Osagiede acknowledged what he termed; “immense contributions” of the First Lady to the development and growth of sports in Edo.
In his commendation, Osagiede said her contributions would be forever remembered in the history of sports in the State.
As he announced; that under the Obaseki’s administration, a legitimate SWAN executive has been inaugurated.
This year’s BOWFT edition began on Monday, 7 October, 2024 at three different centres in Benin and would span 10 days.
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