…Group A term Group of death
The organisers of the annual Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament have announced an upward review of the prize money of the biggest women’s pre-season tournament in the country and Africa.
According to the brain behind the tournament, the Edo State First Lady, Betsy Obaseki, the prize money for the 4th edition is N10m as against the 2023 edition, which was N7m with runners-up money improved from N5m to N7m while the third and fourth now N5m and N3m as against N3m and N1.5m respectively.
Speaking during the official draws for the tournament, the First Lady also confirmed the continuation of the championship even after her tenure might have expired in a few weeks.
“This tournament is my personal baby and I can assure you that it will continue after the present government,” she said.
“With the coming of two foreign teams, it is now a fully international tournament and we are going to maintain it even after this government.
“However, I am going with it and that’s the reason for establishing a Board of Trustee and Edo State will continue to be our base.
“Some states like Lagos and Bayelsa are already holding discussions with us but we are still thinking about it.”
She however thanked everyone that have been part of the tournament since the first edition while calling on them to continue to support the
Meanwhile, the defending champion of the tournament, Edo Queens, has been placed in a group termed Group of death as they will be up against FC Robo and Remo Stars Ladies in Group A of this year’s edition.
The opening game will see Edo Queens taking on FC Robo on Tuesday.
Group B housed Bayelsa Queens,
Brave Heart of Edo, Naija Ratels FC of FCT and Espoir FC of Cotonou, Benin Republic.
In Group C will see Nasarawa Amazons, Confluence Queens and Abia Angels trading tackles with Heartland Queens, Fortress Ladies, Delta Babes FC and Aigle Royal fighting for a slot in the quarterfinals.