13 teams, four groups compete as Betsy women football tourney begins

Thirteen women football clubs, drawn from across the country, will begin their quest for laurels at the third Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT), which kicks off today at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

The competition, which will end on November 1, 2023, has N60 million as the prize money.

Other venues listed for matches of the competition are the University of Benin Sports Complex, Western Boys Mini-Stadium and the Edo State College of Nursing and Health Sciences Mini-Stadium.

The teams in contention for the prize money are 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 edition is, “End Gender-Based Violence,” which is targeted at raising awareness and generating public interest in the need to eradicate gender-based violence in all its forms and spotlight the efforts undertaken by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Edo State government over the past seven years to combat gender-based violence in the state.

Activities lined up for the commencement of the 2023 edition kicked off on Friday with the draws and official unveiling of the mascot and theme song of the tournament, at the Presidential Villa, in Government House, Benin City.

BOWFT Chairman, Communications Sub-Committee, Crusoe Osagie, at the weekend, assured participants of a pre-season tournament that would be an unforgettable sporting spectacle.

“The participating teams will arrive in Benin City on Sunday, October 22, 2023 and will be received on arrival at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

“We are ready to receive the participating teams, officials, spectators, and