Nasarawa Amazons, yesterday, defeated Bayelsa Queens Football Club 6-5 in a penalty shootout to win the 4th edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT).
The final match of the tournament with the theme, “Say No to Teenage Pregnancy and Abandonment” was played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
After the pulsating contest ended in a barren draw, the final was decided on penalty shoot-out where the ladies from Lafia held their nerves to win the prestigious trophy for the first time.
The BOWFT is an initiative of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki in collaboration with private sector partners to groom and empower the girl-child and engender grassroots sports development in Edo State and Nigeria.
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Speaking to journalists, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who hailed the impact and gains of the tournament over the last four years, called on leaders and other stakeholders to take better interest in issues that affect young people, equipping and preparing for future roles.
He said, “I am very excited that we have been able to keep this tournament going for four years now.
“The tournament has made the mark of addressing some topical issues, particularly for young women as this year’s theme has focused on a big problem facing the society which is teenage pregnancy and abandonment of babies.”
Earlier, Mrs. Obaseki while displaying the competition’s trophy during a very colourful closing ceremony, said the tournament has now become international with the participation of two foreign clubs in this year’s edition of the game.
She said “I welcome you all to the closing ceremony and the final match of the fourth edition of the BOWFT 2024.
“This year, the tournament has gone international with 10 days of exciting games, witnessing the participation of two international teams.
“Let’s support our young ones to become the future leaders of this great country and whatever they aspire to be in future. We thank you all.”
The Edo State First Lady and host, was joined by the first ladies of Ogun, Oyo, Cross Rivers, Osun, Balyesa, Taraba and Jigawa States to grace the final.
While the first edition of the tournament was won by Bayelsa Queens, FC Robo clinched the trophy in the second edition.
The third edition was won by Edo Queens with Nasarawa Amazons lifting the trophy and a cash prize of N10m in the fourth edition.
