Sports

How We Used Besty Obaseki Tourney To Check Human Trafficking – Edo First Lady

Published

1 year ago

October 7, 2024

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki says the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) has been used to tackle human trafficking in the state.

The First Lady noted that the BOWFT has reduced human trafficking in the state as it has created a platform and pathway through which girls have a successful career in female football.

Mrs. Obaseki spoke to journalists in Benin on Monday at a press briefing to herald the 4th edition of BOWFT tourney.

The First Lady, who noted that when the tournament started years back, it started with 12 teams, disclosed that this year’s edition teams increased to 14.

Mrs. Obaseki, while stating that 2 out of the 14 teams are foreign, added that nine premiership clubs are also participating in the event that will last 10 days.

The First Lady who disclosed that this year’s tourney has its theme as ‘Say No to Teen Pregnancy and Abandonment’, added: “In the first edition, the theme was Girl Child Education; second year was, Say No to Drugs. For the third year, it was Gender-based Violence while this year, it’s Say No to Teen Pregnancy and Abandonment.”

The First Lady, while noting that the tourney is beyond playing football, said it seeks to touch the lives of women in Edo state and Nigeria at large.

She said the idea of the tournament was to empower women in Nigeria and support them to make a career out of football.

When asked future of the tourney when she leaves office, the Edo First Lady said the tournament would certainly continue after the end of Obaseki’s led-administration.

She disclosed that the tournament is private sector funded and sponsored with a board in place alongside a marketer, adding that she is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the tourney with other notable Nigerians and organisations as members.

Speaking on cash prize of the tourney, the Chairman of the Board of Trustee of the BOWFT said: ‘The prize has also increased and doubled. We started with N5 million for the winner but this year, we have increased it to N10 million for the winner.

“After our first outing, FIFA recognized our efforts in promoting female football and empowering women and gave us an award,” she added.

According to her, when her husband took over power in the state 8 years back, sports was completely dead but with efforts the administration was about to revive sports and push Edo Queens from beneath to top of league.

She added: “Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration revived sports and ensure it brought back Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens to winning way as the Benin Clubs are now national and West African champions.

“Since this tournament, Edo Queens are getting better as they became the champion last year and continue in that line by winning the WAFU Cup to represent West Africa.

“This tournament has produced players that played for our female national team and also for foreign Clubs as our efforts are yielding desirable results.

“The tournament is helping to grow and develop female football in Nigeria also creating opportunities for our female children to make a career out of football”.

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Sports

[FULL LIST] U-17 W’ World Cup: Nigeria Face Italy As Knockout Stage Begins

Published

5 hours ago

October 26, 2025

Editor

The knockout phase of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to kick off in Morocco, with Nigeria’s Flamingos drawn against Italy in one of the standout Round of 16 fixtures.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. Nigeria.

Their qualification follows an emphatic 4–0 victory over Samoa in Rabat on Saturday.

The Flamingos will now aim to build on their impressive group-stage campaign as they continue their push for a historic first world title.

Host nation Morocco will also be in action the same evening, taking on South Korea at the Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2 in Sale, where home fans are expected to create a charged atmosphere in support of the Atlas Lionesses.

Earlier on Tuesday, Brazil will battle China PR, while the United States square off against the Netherlands, both matches slated for 4:30 p.m. in Sale.

The game continues on Wednesday, October 29, with Mexico facing Paraguay at 4:30 p.m., while defending champions Spain meet France in a mouthwatering all-European clash at the same time and venue.

Later that night, Canada will take on Zambia, and Japan, one of the tournament’s top contenders, will lock horns with Colombia to round off the Round of 16 fixtures.

All matches will be staged across venues in Rabat and Sale, with global coverage available via major sports networks and FIFA’s digital platforms.

As the competition enters its decisive stage, only four wins now separate the remaining 16 teams from lifting the prestigious U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

Eight winning teams in the round of 16 will move to the quarter-final stage starting Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Full Round of 16 Fixtures
Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Brazil U17 vs China PR U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)

United States U17 vs Netherlands U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Italy U17 vs Nigeria U17 – 8:00 PM (Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat)

South Korea U17 vs Morocco U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2, Sale)

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Mexico U17 vs Paraguay U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)

Spain U17 vs France U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Canada U17 vs Zambia U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Japan U17 vs Colombia U17 – 8:00 PM (Venue TBC)

Sports

SWAN Kicks Off 60th Anniversary/Awards With Religious Services

Published

3 days ago

October 23, 2025

Editor

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is set to hold its 60th anniversary with Jumat Prayer and Thanksgiving on Friday October 24, 2025.

A statement by the Media and Publicity Committee of the anniversary said the special prayer and thanksgiving will be held in all the state chapters and FCT at the venues which would be determined by the leadership of the various chapters.

According to the statement, the SWAN Diamond Jubilee and Award Ceremony will also feature the full council which is a meeting of the National Executive Council, zonal vice presidents and secretaries and state chairmen and secretaries.

The committee, while inviting “government functionaries, lovers of sports, members of the association and the general public to join SWAN members at the services to thank God for a successful 60-year journey,” added: “All activities at the event will hold at the National Stadium, Abuja between Oct. 29 and Oct. 31.”

“It will also be an opportunity for us to collectively pray for protection of members, better sports fortuneNigeria’s sports men and women and a more prosperous sports sector,” it said.

Sports

EPL: Trossard Strike As Arsenal Beat Fulham 1-0

Published

1 week ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

Arsenal edged past Fulham with a narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage, climbing three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The result marked another composed and professional display from Mikel Arteta’s side, who continue to show their title credentials.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Leandro Trossard calmly finished after a clever set-piece routine.

Bukayo Saka delivered a dangerous corner that was flicked on by Gabriel, setting up Trossard to slot home the winner.

Arteta’s side dominated possession throughout, limiting Fulham to very few chances in front of goal.

The hosts struggled to create any real threat, with Arsenal’s defence staying compact and composed.

With the victory, Arsenal overtake Manchester City to sit three points clear at the summit after another disciplined away performance.

More to follow…