First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki has opened up on why she decided to organize the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament which gets underway this weekend in Benin.
The tournament runs from September 27 to October 4 with the opening ceremony billed for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Mrs. Obaseki who spoke yesterday while briefing the media in Abuja said it was another step she is taking in her efforts to ensure that Edo wins the battle of human trafficking and other gender-based violence.
In her words…”Sports is not only a career, means of self-expression, empowerment opportunity but is also therapeutic.
The Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament will be another veritable avenue in achieving this goal as it affords our girls the opportunity to showcase their skills and also provide mentors for those aspiring for future careers in the featured line of sports, promote the sporting industry among grassroots women and girls.”
She was to add…”From the onset, I have delighted in my role in a supportive capacity to tackle this menace and other forms of gender-based violence through various initiatives targeted at the girl child.”
She stressed that this informed the theme of the tournament Which is “Promoting the Girl Child”.
Four venues have been scheduled to host the tournament. These are the University of Benin Sports Complex, Western Boys High School, School of Health Technology Football Complex, and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Twelve prestigious women’s football clubs in the country have confirmed their attendance and participation.
The teams will be arriving in Benin City on Sunday, September 26th, 2021 with the draws holding the same night.
“Our medical team has been put on standby to carry out the rapid test on all the players and officials on arrival in line with COVID-19 protocols,” Mrs. Obaseki concluded.
