Wife of the Edo State governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has said the staging of Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) showed the government’s commitment to all-round development of youths in the state.

Mrs Obaseki, the chairperson of the organising committee of the event, stated this on Thursday in Benin at a parley with sports journalists ahead of the opening ceremony of the second edition of the women competition.

According to her, the organiser is determined to increase the number of the participating teams edition by edition.

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“We had 12 participating teams last year and increased the teams to 13 this year. We will continue to grow and improve, ensuring that we make the games a much bigger competition.

“One of the very outcomes that we have had from this competition was that our first outing was adjudged by international stakeholders as world-class.

“The world football body, FIFA, had, at an event earlier this year in Qatar recognised our first edition as a model event with an award, received by our Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu. This was acknowledging our commitment to youth development through football, especially women.

“That’s a huge achievement, considering that it is our first outing and we will sustain efforts to support our youths and help them realize their fullest potentials,” she said.

Speaking on the theme of the competition, “Say No to Drugs,” the Edo first lady noted, “It’s beyond just playing football. We are using the opportunity of the games as a platform to proffer solutions to societal problems.

“Last year, we focused on tackling human trafficking and illegal migration, but this year, we will concentrate on reducing the incidence of drug abuse.

“Drug abuse is a huge problem in the country. In fact, it is bigger than imagined. It has become endemic and is fast becoming a pandemic.

“Drug abuse is destroying and ruining lives of many, from children in primary schools to married women; this year’s edition will provide a fine platform to create more awareness to reduce the incidence of drug abuse.

“We will have a seminar on September 15, 2022 in this regard,” said Obaseki.

She noted that the state had set a pace with the unveiling of customised and branded soccer balls that would be used for the matches.

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“Today, we are going to unveil branded and customized soccer balls that will be used throughout the tournament, which is the first in the country. Also, Edo is the only state where female players are paid the same remuneration as the men.

“So, when we say we are leading football in Nigeria, you can see that it isn’t an empty boast.

“It is the truth and reality, because it is in our blood. We are doing it in football now, and taking the reforms to all other areas of human endeavours,” she asserted.

The soccer tourney would holds between Sept. 7 and 17.