Wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki has described sports as not only a career, means of self expression, empowerment but also therapeutic.
According to her, the maiden edition of the football tournament being organised in her honour, Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, will serve as a veritable platform in fulfilling the therapeutic aspect of sports.
Mrs Obaseki who was speaking during a press conference in Abuja, Thursday said her efforts in tackling Gender Based Violence (GBV) have also been yielding the expected results.
She explained that “the theme of the tournament “Promoting the Girl Child” is in tardem with the state government’s efforts in giving the female child their pride of place.
“The tournament will afford our girls the opportunity to showcase their skills, serve as mentorship for those aspiring for future careers in sports as well as promote the development of women football at the grassroots.”
The Theme, “Promoting The Girl Child,” is timely because, “Prior to the inception of my husband’s administration as the Governor, human trafficking was rife in Edo State with Edo occupying the ignoble position as being the foremost of this illicit trade.”
“Five years down the line, Edo has moved to number five in the nation, owing to the commitment of my husband’s administration with a human face in job creation, infrastructural development, human capital development and the sheer will to tackle these societal menace headlong through innovative solutions.”
She emphasised that the Betsy Obaseki Women Football tournament is part of her initiatives at complimenting what the administration is already doing in tackling these menace and other forms of GBV.
She maintained that twelve prestigious women football clubs in the country have confirmed their attendance and participation in the tournament which is scheduled to hold in the ancient city of Benin between September 26th to October 4th.
She listed some of the clubs to include; Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens,
Sunshine Queens, Robo FC,
Heartland Queens, Royal Queens,
Confluence Queens, Kaduna Queens, Naija Ratels, Fortress Ladies and Rolly FC.
She said the tournament will take place in four different venues in Benin City: The University of Benin Sports Complex, Western Boys High School, School of Health Technology Football Complex and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
As part of efforts at ensuring transparency in the tournament, the wife of the Edo State Governor has assured that the draws for the tournament will be held under the full glare of the media and will be streamed live online.
She however, noted that the football tournament is being funded by development partners and not the state government.
“This is the only way we can achieve sustainable growth in the development of sports industry in the State,” she explained.
She expressed optimism that the tournament would impact positively in commercial activities in the State.
According to her, “Beyond encouraging female participation in the sporting industry, the economic benefits that such a tournament will yield to those residing around points of play will be immense, particularly in the hospitality industry, food vendors and transportation industry.”While thanking the First Lady for making the women football tournament a part of her pet project, the Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu who was with her at the briefing said the Edo State Government created the enabling environment for sports by putting necessary world class facilities in place to encourage sporting activities in our state as well as to privatize sport. “The Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament is purely private-sector driven. It’s a standard that the Edo State Government has set for Nigeria to follow. he added. Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Maryaan Philip-Shaibu was also in attendance at the briefing.
