Edo Queens, Robo FC, Bayelsa Queens, and Delta Queens have successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the ongoing Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT). These teams demonstrated their prowess by securing the top positions in their respective groups during the group stage of the competition.
In Group A, Edo Queens showcased their dominance, leading the table with an impressive six points. Simultaneously, Bayelsa Queens clinched the top spot in Group B, also with six points. Robo FC left an indelible mark on Group C, amassing a remarkable nine points, while Delta Queens emerged as the leaders of Group D with four points. This sets the stage for an exciting journey in the knockout rounds.
Other teams securing a spot in the next stage of the tournament include Remo Star Ladies, Nasarawa Amazons, Heartland Queens, and Ekiti Queens.
Regrettably, Naija Ratels, Confluence Queens, Fortress Ladies, Royal Queens, and Honey Badgers did not advance in the tournament but were presented with consolation prizes.
Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, Edo’s First Lady, presented cheques of N750,000 to each of the qualifying teams. She lauded the commendable efforts of the participating teams and highlighted the increased prize money in this year’s edition as a means to motivate and recognize their dedication.
The teams are vying for the grand prize of N60 million in total for the 2023 Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament (BOWFT). These thrilling matches unfold across four prominent sports facilities in the state, including the impressive Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, University of Benin Sports Complex, Western Boys Mini-Stadium, and the Edo State College of Nursing and Health Sciences Mini-Stadium.
BOWFT, an initiative spearheaded by Mrs. Betsy Obaseki in collaboration with private sector partners, is a platform designed to nurture and empower the girl-child, fostering grassroots sports development in Edo State and Nigeria. It also serves as a vehicle to promote awareness and discourage social vices.
In its third edition, the 2023 Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, themed “End Gender-Based Violence,” unfolds in the vibrant city of Benin, the Edo State capital, spanning from Monday, October 23rd to Wednesday, November 1st, 2023.
This year’s edition seeks to raise awareness and public interest in the imperative eradication of gender-based violence in all its forms, while spotlighting the tireless efforts undertaken by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led State Government over the past seven years in combating gender-based violence in the State.