... Gov Obaseki urges leaders to take better interest in issues of youth devt, hails impact of tournament in four years

Nasarawa Amazons, on Wednesday, defeated Bayelsa Queens Football Club 6-5 in a penalty shootout to win the fourth edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT), denying Bayelsa Queens a second shot at the trophy.

The final match of the tournament with the theme, “Say No to Teenage Pregnancy and Abandonment” was played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The 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.

The tournament is Nigeria’s only pre-season women's football tournament and has continued the tradition of promoting women's football through a two-week long socially-conscious programme that brings important issues to the front burner.

While the first edition of the tournament was won by Bayelsa Queens, FC Robo clinched the trophy in the second edition. The third edition was won by Edo Queens with Nasarawa Amazons lifting the trophy of the fourth edition.

The match entered penalty shootout after 90 minutes of exciting football play at regulation time deadlocked with no goals.

The highly tensed penalty kick however ended 6-5 after both teams played eight penalties each with Nasarawa Amazons scoring 6 while Bayelsa Queens netted 5. Speaking to journalists, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who hailed the impact and gains of the tournament over the last four years, called on leaders and other stakeholders to take better interest in issues that affect young people, equipping and preparing for future roles.

Others at the event are the Edo State First Lady and host, Mrs Betsy Obaseki who was joined by the first ladies of Ogun, Oyo, Cross Rivers, Osun, Balyesa, Taraba and Jigawa States.

Others are the Edo State Deputy Governor, Marvellous Omobayo, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemi, among others.

Governor Obaseki said, “I am very excited that we have been able to keep this tournament going for four years now.

“The tournament has made the mark of addressing some topical issues, particularly for young women as this year's theme has focused on a big problem facing the society which is teenage pregnancy and abandonment of babies.

“I believe that tournaments like this one highlights these social issues while presenting well contested matches. The girls are in high spirits. we have two international teams joining them this year.”

The Governor said the tournament should challenge other leaders and stakeholders and encourage them to take interest on issues that affect young people.

Earlier, Mrs. Obaseki while displaying the competition's trophy during a very colourful closing ceremony, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, said the tournament has now become international with the participation of two foreign clubs in this year’s edition of the game.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s competition, the Edo First Lady urged young girls across the country to hold their heads high, focusing on their life ambitions rather than allow themselves to be put in the family way when they are not ready.

According to her, “I welcome you all to the closing ceremony and the final match of the fourth edition of the BOWFT 2024.

“This year, the tournament has gone international with 10 days of exciting games, witnessing the participation of two international teams.

“Tonight, we have two teams Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons competing for the trophy and cash prize of N10 million. We wish both teams great time and success. ”

According to her, “This year’s theme is ‘Say no to Teenage Pregnancy and Abandonment.’

“It’s a call to all of us in Nigeria, especially our young girls, to hold their heads high and not mess up their lives. They should never allow themselves to be put in the family way when they are not ready.”

“Let’s support our young ones to become the future leaders of this great Country and whatever they aspire to be in future. We thank you all.”