The ìnitiator and founder of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament, the First Lady of Edo State Government, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has declared that, no matter the political situation in Edo State, not minding the change of government from the PDP to the APC, Edo State will still remain the bedrock and the true home ground of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament.

Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who made a surprised appearance at the Draw Ceremony of the biggest preseason women’s football tournament in Nigeria in the last four years, midway into the event in the Edo States Government House’s Festival Hall, Benin City, noted with a warning that, the desire to make the FIFA recognised pre-season event may take a different dimension if the new government of the day openly rejected and gave the event a cold shoulder.

She noted that, such retrogressive move may force the event’s board of trustees to move the BOWFT out of Edo State to another welcoming venues like Lagos, Bayelsa and others as host of the championship since the event is a private partnership-owned one under the Betsy Obaseki Women Foundation.

Mrs. Obaseki, noted that , the private partnership event status gave the BOWFT the freedown to become a well organised international football championship which the event is today with involvement of two international clubs in attendance.

She stressed that, the elevation of the total prize monies to N30million as the champion’s prize money at N10million, second place at N7million, third place at N5million and fourth place at N3million, with each of the 10 consolation prizes at N750,000, has made the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament a proper FIFA standard tournament.

She hinted that, the FIFA recognition had been a priority since the second edition of the tournament when she was invited to the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, to receive an award for the great organisation of the event.

“I want to use this opportunity to say thank you to members of the Organising Committee, the board of Trustees, the women’s football clubs and all those who made the tournament a huge success in the last four years. We say thank you to Edo State for being the host in the four years and this likely to change.

The 4th edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament will officially flag of at the Main Bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Monday, with other preliminary group match going at the Western Boys High School, Ikpoba Hills and the University of Benin Sports Complex.

The tournament preliminary group games have been broken into four groups, groups A to E with Group A made of Edo Queens, FC Robo and Remo Ladies tagged as the group of death. Because of the presence of three tough teams.

Group B has Bayelsa, Brave Hearts Fc of Benin City, Naija Ratels and Espoir Fc of Benin Republic.

Group C has Nasarawa Amazons, Confluence Queens of Lokoja and Abia Angels.

While Group E has Heartland Queens of Owerri, Fortress Ladies of Benin City, Delta Babes of Asaba and Aigle Royale of Benin Republic.

To improve Communication and the impact of its programmes, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has resolved to hold more of its International Olympic Committee (IOC)- sponsored Solidarity Training courses and workshops outside the traditional hubs of Abuja and Lagos.

The Committee resolved this during its first Executive Committee meeting since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and the NOC acknowledged that the feedback from the field had shown a more significant misunderstanding of its role.

A statement released by Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of the Committee, noted that staging most of its programmes in the States as one of the best ways to tackle this problem.

These States have demonstrated their effectiveness in implementing the messages of the Movement.

The Committee has then pleaded with State Governments to accept to provide the enabling environment for sports Commissions or Councils to host Olympic programmes.

”We believe these programmes will strengthen the administration and management of sports and invariably improve sports.

This will create a multiplier effect.’’ The Committee extensively discussed Team Nigeria’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

It acknowledged that although the team did not perform well overall, but acknowledged that despite this, at least eight athletes received certificates for improved performances.

They are: * Ese Brume – Athletics – 5th Place in Long Jump (W)

* Favour Ofili – Athletics – 6th Place in 200m (W)

* Chukwuebuka Enekwechi – Athletics – 6th Place in Shotput (Men)

* Samuel Ogazi – Athletics -7th Place – 400m (Men)

* Rafiatu Folashade Lawal- Weightlifting – 5th Place in 59kg (W)

* Joy Ogbonne Eze – Weightifting -7h Place in 71kg (W)

* Blessing Oborodudu – Wrestling Freestyle – 5th Place in Freestyle – 68kg (W)

* Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye – Wresting Freestyle – 8th Place in 57kg (Ww)

It also includes The badminton player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, was hailed for improved performance. The National Basketball team, De Tigress, was adjudged the most improved team, and its coach was singled out for recognition as the best coach.

This is the first African team in the sport, male or female, to reach the quarter-final of any Olympic Games. The NOC praised the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Grand Patron of NOC, and the Federal Government for sponsoring and supporting Team Nigeria.

The NOC Executive Committee also praised Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports, for his hard work during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Committee stressed the need for timely and yearly funding release to facilitate more meaningful pre-Games preparations and qualifications.

By taking the NOC’s programmes to the various States, the committee hopes to muster greater awareness and adoption of Olympic values while identifying and nurturing young sporting talents nationwide.

This strategic shift is a crucial step in Nigeria’s quest to become a consistent powerhouse on the Olympic stage.

The committee also discussed upcoming programmes and sporting competitions that require urgent attention.

These include the 1. Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, in December 2025;
2. the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2025; and

3. the African Beach Games in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in October 2025 and

4. the African School Sports Games in Algiers, Algeria in 2025. Others are

5. the Youth Olympic Games to be held in 2026 in Dakar, Senegal;

6. the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, U.K., in March 2026;

7. the African Games in Egypt in 2027;

8. the Winter Olympic Games in Milano, Italy; and

9. the Olympic Games – the 2028 Los Angeles Games in the U.S.A.

The NOC then praised States that played host to some of the NOC programmes, and, like Oliver Twist, the Committee asked the Governments for more support to help it open up the sports sector, which can help employ, empower, and positively engage the youth.

The NOC discussed further improvements at the Amuwo Odofin OlympAfric Sports Centre for youths to drop their sporting skills.

The facility will eventually become a national Training Centre available to relevant national federations.

It also discussed the development of a Permanent Secretariat of the NOC on a parcel of land already allocated to it in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Community Action Through Sports (CATS) Ladies of Lagos State secured a 2-1 victory over Plateau United Queens to claim the first-ever Girls Play Sports Football Tournament title at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Plateau United Queens, who qualified for the national finals as Northern champions, took the lead in the ninth minute through Agnes Otata. However, Southern champions CATS Ladies responded with two quick goals from Ebube Anyanwu in the 50th and 54th minutes, sealing their triumph as the inaugural champions.

As champions, CATS Ladies received a cash prize of two million naira, while runners-up Plateau United Queens were awarded one million naira. Other finalists from the Northern and Southern zones were also rewarded with varying cash prizes for their appearances.

Honorable Ayo Omidiran, initiator and founder of the Ayomidiran Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Federal Housing Authority, State Football Associations, and participating teams, stating, “This success reflects the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to advancing grassroots women’s football and empowering the girl-child through sports.”

Chinasa Ukandu, head coach of CATS Ladies, celebrated the victory as a landmark achievement for her team, saying, “These girls have shown tremendous determination and heart, and this win is a testament to their hard work.”

Honorable Oyetunde Ojo, Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, praised the tournament’s organization, adding, “We are proud to be part of an initiative that empowers young girls through sports and promotes national unity.”

Dr. Muhammad Sanusi, Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, commended the tournament’s significance, noting, “This competition lays a strong foundation for the growth of women’s football in Nigeria, and we are excited to see its future impact.”

Girls Play Sports (GPS) ambassador and Nigerian Olympic legend Mary Onyali lauded the initiative, saying, “This tournament is a game changer for young female athletes across the country, giving them the platform they deserve to excel.”

The event was also graced by several dignitaries, including Comptroller O. A. Adebakin (FDC, DSM, MNIM, PSC), representing the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service; Senator Adebayo Adeyeye, Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Ports Authority; Chairman of the NPFL Honorable Gbenga Elegbeleye; NFF Director of Competitions Ruth David; Nigeria Women Football League Chief Operating Officer Modupe Shabi; NWFL board member Rukayat Alaya; Secretary General of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria Ikenna Okonkwo; and Senator Gbenga Obadara, an APC chieftain from Ogun State.