By: Edem Archibong, Calabar.

The Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has increased the monthly Management allowance for the first female team in Nigeria, the Pelican Stars Football Club, from the poorly and disgracefully low #5m to #15 m, effective from March 2026.

This declaration was made in Calabar during the Stakeholders meeting convened by the Cross River State Sports Commission under its new Chairman, Mr. Lowrance Etta, during the unveiling meeting of the 3rd edition of the Queens Cup Football Tournament initiated by Her Excellency, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, wife of Governor Otu.

The essence of the stakeholders meeting, which includes members of Cross River State Sports Writers Association led by Comrade Mike Akpang to give open invitation to intending participating teams to come and indicate interest in taking part on the Queens Cup Football competition schedule to kick-off on 1st April 2026 while the final will take place on her Excellency’s birthday being 10th April to commemorate her birthday.

The Sports Commission boss further revealed that, unlike last year’s football event, the 2026 edition of the Queen’s Cup tournament is expected to include at least 36 teams from all 18 Local Government Council Areas, including any individual teams that are strictly based in the state.

The participating teams will be fully kitted with jerseys for the championship, provided they are domiciled in the state.

Additionally, the 2026 edition will introduce 7 more sports events into the championship, such as athletic, cowa game, or an individual game, which can also collect the form which is given free, and this can be online through the Sports commission website, or come to the office to obtain the form while the closing date is on Monday next week.

This Queens Cup tournament is the brainchild of Her Excellency, with the purpose of caring for the aged, the less privileged, and the girl child through the establishment of a foundation that is now using football because of Her Excellency’s passion for women’s football development.

He recalled her Excellency’s love for women’s football development, which resulted in her promoting the former Pelican football star, Ekpoanwan, who later captained the female National team to win laurels for Nigeria.

On the U.J. Esuene Stadium complex, which has since become dilapidated, Mr. Etta explained that Governor Otu has concluded plans to renovate the state box and give it a facelift, while the entire stadium complex will be transformed to reflect modern standards, and the main administration block, which was abandoned for the past 13 years, is undergoing standard transformation.