Betsy Obaseki Football Tournament ‘ll drive campaign against drug abuse, trafficking, says Shaibu

Edo State Deputy Governor and Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has said the yearly football tournament will drive the government’s campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Speaking on the preparedness of the state to host the second edition of the tournament in Benin, yesterday, Shaibu said the tournament, which will commence on September 7, 2022, would feature 12 teams, 10 coming from the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) to be joined by the two best women teams from Edo State.

He said: “The opportunity given to the teams from the state is to expose our young girls and catch them young.

“At the final of the competition on September 17, 2022, first ladies from the 36 states of the federation will attend the game at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.”

According to the deputy governor, “We don’t discriminate in Edo State, as this is the only state where our female and male football teams earn the same salaries. We are building up the girl-child and giving them support to thrive in all they do. Look at the performance of our women’s team in the Commonwealth Games, winning 12 gold medals while the men won none. Women need to be encouraged to do better.

“Women football has come to stay in Edo State, as we appreciate our First Lady, Betsy Obaseki, for making the competition an annual event and a pre-season tournament to prepare our girls.

“We are using this year’s tournament to create publicity and awareness against drug abuse and trafficking. We have upgraded the tournament. It will take place in different locations in Edo State. We have built 20 mini-stadium in the state and will be using two of them including the