…tournament ll’ address drug abuse, build a new generation of youths, says Shaibu

Edo Queens made a bold statement after putting nine goals past Royaltoms International FC of Lagos in a flawless victory at their opening match for the second edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT).

The match was played at the world-class Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, to the delight of fans and other football lovers.

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu, his wife, Maryann, and the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, led other fans and supporters to cheer up the teams.

The annual Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, now in its second edition, kicked off on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 and will run through Saturday, September 17, 2022, with the aim to drive the government’s campaign against drug abuse.

Speaking after the football match, Shaibu said, “The theme of the event is apt at this time as we need more public awareness in the society to discourage our people from illicit drugs before it wipes out a whole generation.

“We need to save a whole generation and our country from this destructive trend and this tournament is part of measures put in place  to help educate and create the public awareness needed to help reduce and eradicate it in our society.”

Lamenting the rising incidence of drug intake and abuse, the Edo deputy governor said the trend is worrisome and calls for urgent attention.

“Families have broken down, while parents have separated and abandoned their children. Being high on drugs will not help solve problems or challenges of life, rather, it creates more problems for users of drugs in our society.”

Expressing satisfaction with the teams’ performance, Shaibu noted, “This is the first match and first matches are always full of tension. Our team, the Edo Queens, has made us proud, demolishing their opponent with a 9-0 defeat.

“This defeat has sent a strong signal that our team is ready to do well at this second edition of the tournament. Women football is developing in this country; watch the level of play, it can be equated with the kind of play and goals in the premiership.”

He added, “I am excited with the fluent play from both teams; it speaks volume of women football in Nigeria; it’s fast developing. I can see an improvement in the female league. You can attribute it to the organisation by the Nigeria female football league. They have fixed October 12, 2022 for the commencement of 2022/2023 seasons. The women's league is very consistent and it has created a standard for the league.”