Barrister Paul Edeh has stated that this year’s Flying Officers Cup is a tournament designed to immortalise the late Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile.
The 2020 edition has seen remarkable improvements with standard organization, an entertaining brand of soccer, and side attractions.
Naija Ratels, Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, Royal Queens, Confluence Queens, Honey Badgers, Kaduna Queens, and Edo Queens have done well to show quality in the competition which has been rated as one of the best pre-season tournaments in Nigeria.
“I think this has been one of the easiest and seamless competitions I have ever had,” Barrister Paul Edeh who is the sole sponsor of the competition admitted in a chat with reporters on Thursday.
“The reason is simple, my team has actually been very superb. This time around, we have an excellent team and I am a bit relaxed.”
This year’s competition was designed to immortalise Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile, who was the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force.
She contributed significantly to combat operations against insecurity in the northern states of Nigeria. Arotile died from a head injury sustained in an accident at the Nigerian Air Force base in Kaduna state on 14 July 2020.
“It is a thing of joy considering that we are trying to immortalise a lady who has left a landmark in the shores of this country,” he continued in a sober mood.
“Wearing her shoes are too big and large for now to fill.”
“We are hoping and praying that God will enable younger girls in different fields and spheres of life to also succeed. That’s why we are using the game that unites us as people to immortalise her.”
The organization of this year’s Tourney has been world-class with plaudits flowing at the beckon of Organizers.
“With the feedback, we have gotten so far, this is one pre-season that will remain in the hearts of those who have participated. Even those who failed to participate wished they were here,” he mused.
“We have been able to harness the potentials that the various teams have in preparation for the league that starts on 9th December. In addition to that, most of the teams that are still in the competition and those that have crashed out also see where they have actually missed it. As they go back they will certainly prepare for the upcoming season.”
The ongoing competition has seen explosive games on display with goals flowing like milk and honey.
“The female football sphere has come of age. For the first time, I have been able to experience real-time on how these girls have been able to improve.
“What a man can do, a woman can do better. What these girls have done is to simply prove this assertion.
“Secondly, a lot is still required to put these girls where they ought to be.”
“The talent they have displayed here is one that even if you go to Europe they don’t have this kind of talent.
Barrister Edeh called on more support for women’s football development in Nigeria.
“I feel it is important for the government of the day and those who are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that sports is developed. We will have more of this pre-season tournament.”
“As an individual, I can’t do it all by myself. All sponsorship has come from me. I think that these girls have great potentials.”
“All the girls need is a great encouragement and you can see that they are all happy,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, and Naija Ratels are through to the semi finals of the prestigious tournament.
