Betsy Obaseki Football Tournament Aims to Promote Women’s Football, End Gender-based Violence

The 3rd Edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) is gearing up to contribute to the State Government’s campaign to end gender-based violence. Crusoe Osagie, the Chairman of the Communication Sub-Committee for the tournament, made several key announcements and highlighted the significance of this year’s edition.

According to Osagie, the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament not only aims to promote women’s football but also serves as a platform to raise awareness and support for ending gender-based violence in Edo State. It is an initiative that combines sports and advocacy for important social causes.

The organizing committee is actively preparing for the tournament, emphasizing the importance of its mission.

On Monday, October 16, 2023, there will be an inspection of the match venues in preparation for the tournament.

The tournament will feature 13 participating teams, with 11 teams coming from the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), and the best two female football teams from Edo State will also compete.

A seminar will be held as a sideline event for the tournament on October 31st, 2023. First ladies from the 36 states of the federation have been invited to attend. The seminar will highlight the state government’s efforts to combat gender-based violence over the past seven years.

The tournament, accredited by FIFA, is seen as an opportunity to support and empower girls, particularly in sports. The State Government, under Governor Godwin Obaseki’s leadership, has focused on policy reforms in education, job creation, and the sports sectors to groom the girl-child.
The performance of the female team from Edo State in the pre-season women’s football tournament, Shereos, where they emerged as champions, demonstrates the state’s commitment to women’s football.

The games for the tournament will be hosted in various locations in Edo State. The opening and closing matches will take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, while the group stages and semi-final matches will be held at the University of Benin Sports Complex and the Western Boys College mini stadium.

Participating teams will conduct their training sessions during the tournament at the Edo State College of Nursing and Health Sciences mini stadium and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).