BOWFT 2023: Significant Preparations in Edo as Betsy Obaseki Women Football pre-season tourney kicks-off October 23

The Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) a FIFA-accredited pre-season women’s football competition is scheduled to take place in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

According to the Organizing Committee, the 2023 edition will commence on October 23, 2023, with the tournament featuring 13 participating teams.

Conducting journalists around designated centres in Benin City on Monday, the Head of Facility Sub-Committee for the tournament, Victor Edokpaiyi, said the 2023 edition of the tournament would surpass the previous editions.

Edokpaiyi said, “We are set for the pre-season competition as we just finished inspecting the centres for the competition and all the facilities have been put in place”.

He further disclosed that several venues have been designated for hosting the tournament’s matches and training. These include:
Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium (for the opening and closing ceremonies).
University of Benin Sports Complex (for group matches up to the semi-finals).
Western Boys Mini Stadium (for group matches up to the semi-finals).
University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) (used as a training center for participating teams).
Edo State School of Health Technology Mini Stadium (used as a training center for participating teams).

The third edition of the BOWFT will focus on the Edo State Government’s campaign to end gender-based violence.

The third edition of BOWFT is expected to place a significant emphasis on the Edo State Government’s campaign to end gender-based violence, using the platform of women’s football to raise awareness and promote this cause.

On the whole, the organizers expressed that they have made significant preparations to ensure the success of this women’s football tournament, with an increased number of participating teams and various venues for matches and training. The inclusion of gender-based violence awareness aligns the tournament with a broader social cause.