Thirteen women football clubs from across Nigeria will commence their journey towards glory at the highly-anticipated third edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) today. The tournament, taking place at the prestigious Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, is set to run until November 1, 2023. With a whopping N60 million as the prize money, the competition promises to be a fierce battle.
Aside from the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, matches for the event will also be held at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Western Boys Mini-Stadium, and the Edo State College of Nursing and Health Sciences Mini-Stadium.
The teams vying for the coveted prize are none other than the defending champions, FC Robo of Lagos, Edo Queens, Naija Ratels, Remo Stars, Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, Confluence Queens, Fortress FC, Heartland Queens, Rivers Angel, Delta Queens, Ekiti Queens, and Osun Babes FC.
The theme for this year’s edition is “End Gender-Based Violence,” aimed at raising awareness and garnering public interest in eradicating all forms of gender-based violence. It also aims to acknowledge the commendable efforts made by the Edo State government, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, to combat gender-based violence in the state over the past seven years.
The 2023 edition of the tournament kicked off on Friday with an exciting draw ceremony and the official unveiling of the tournament mascot and theme song at the Presidential Villa in Government House, Benin City.
Crusoe Osagie, the Chairman of the Communications Sub-Committee for BOWFT, has assured participants of an unforgettable pre-season tournament that promises to be a sporting spectacle.
“The participating teams will arrive in Benin City on Sunday, October 22, 2023, and will be warmly received at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. We are fully prepared to welcome the teams, officials, spectators, and visitors alike. Fans and supporters are eagerly anticipating the tournament, ready to cheer their teams to victory. Local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and transportation services are all geared up to benefit from this event, which is set to be an unforgettable sporting spectacle.”