BENIN CITY- Nasarawa Amezon has defeated first edition winner of Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) Balyesa Queens six goals to five on penalty after the final match of the 4th edition of the pre-season competition ended goalless at regulation time.
It was tension soaked final with several chances missed by both teams as the governor of Edo State was joined by many sports lovers including first ladies and former first ladies across the Country to watch the game.
90 minutes of play both teams could not utilize their scoring chances to decide the game at regulation time as the game ended with a penalty kick and Nasarawa Amezon lost their second kick and went ahead to win the game 6-5 to lift the trophy of the fourth edition.
Nasarawa Amezon won the cash prize of N10 million Naira while Balyesa Queens who came second went home with N7 million Naira as Edo Queens the champions of the third edition came third defeating Heartland Queens FC :4-2 winning N5 million Naira.
Speaking to journalists at the finals Governor Godwin Obaseki called on leaders and stakeholders across the nation to take an interest in what affects young people, address it and prepare them for leadership of Nigeria.
Obaseki who was joined at the Ogbemudia Stadium by his wife Betsy Obaseki, first ladies Ogun, Oyo, Cross Rivers, Osun, Balyesa, Taraba and Jigawa States to watch the fourth edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women football Tournament (BOWFT).
Obaseki expressed delight that the tournament has assumed an international status with the participation of two international teams in this year’s edition.
“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 Abandoned babies.
“I believed that tournaments like this highlight this social issues while alongside presented a platform for well contested matches as the spirit of the girls were high and we have two international teams joining them this year”
The Governor said the tournament should serve as an impetus to other leaders and stakeholders encouraging them to take an interest in what affects young people. “The prize money is quite good even though Edo Queen are not in the top two, it shows that the match is fair and open as the best team won”.
The first lady of Edo State Dr. Betsy Obaseki who presented the trophy in the final game said the Betsy Obaseki women football tournament has turned international with two foreign Clubs participating in the 4th edition of the game.
She urges Nigeria especially the young ones to hold their head high and not mess up their lives or allow themselves to be put in the family way when they are not ready.
“I welcome you all to the closing ceremony and the final match of the fourth edition of the BOWFT 2024. This year’s tournament has gone international and has 10 days of exiting games witnessing the participation of two international teams.
“Tonight, we have two teams Balyesa Queens and Nasarawa Amezon competing for the trophy and cash price of N10 million Naira. We wish both teams great time and success.
“This year’s theme: “Say no to Teenage Pregnancy and Abandonment”. It’s to all of us in Nigeria especially the young ones to hold their head high and not mess up themselves and lives. They should never allow themselves to be put in the family way when they are not ready.
“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 as we enjoyed the final match”.
The first, second and third edition was won by Balyesa Queens, FC Robo and Edo Queens respectively while this year’s edition was won by Nasarawa Amezon.
