By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The founder of the Betsy Obaseki Women football Tournament, Dr. (Mrs) Betsy Obaseki says that the tournament has gotten international recognition as two countries will be participating in this 4th edition of the football fiesta.
She said the tournament is a private sponsored event with the aim of empowering young women in sports activities. She said international organizations are happy with the event as they have continued to support it.
Mrs Obaseki disclosed this during a press briefing as part of the activities marking the flag off of this year's edition at the Festival Hall, Government House Benin City.
Dr. Obaseki also disclosed that the cash prices for this year's event for the teams participating has been increased, adding that the winner will go home with N10 million naira, second place winner N7 million naira, third position will receive N5 million naira while the fourth position will get N3 million naira. She said other participating teams will get N750,000 each.
She paid glowing tribute to the former governor of the defunct Bendel State, Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia for investing in the sports sector, adding that Governor Obaseki's administration decided to return the state to that glorious era which resulted in the current infrastructure upgrade in the sports sector.
She said that the present administration met sports in comatose having been allowed to decay by successive governments that came, prompting the Obaseki's administration to invest heavily in it which is the reason Bendel Insurance , Edo Queens and other sports activities have done very well till date.
She said Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens are now reference points in sporting activities as they have continued to shine and winning trophies in several competitive games.
"Today the Edo Queens are now number one in the country while they will be representing West Africa soonest. That is the value the tournament has brought forward. It is giving our young girls opportunity to participate in sports events and pursue a career in the sector. As at today we have seven players from Edo Queens at senior Women Football team in Nigeria, the FALCONS".
Continuing, she said as part of the activities in this year's event, they will also use the opportunity to organize a seminar to address social vices particularly issues relating to teenage pregnancy and abandonment which has become pervasive in the Niger Delta region of the country.
She disclosed that the competition will continue after her tenure as first lady of Edo State, stressing that the foundation has gone into partnership with reputable organizations and individuals who have have committed to jointly fund the project even after her tenure as first lady of Edo State .
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