By Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

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Women in Nigeria and Osun state in particular have been charged to always partake in sporting activities in order to keep them physically fit, mentally alert and economically stable.
Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola gave the charge at the grand finale of the 2021 maiden edition of Besty Obaseki Women Football Tournament in Benin, Edo state.
Mrs Oyetola who is also the Chairperson, Forum of Southern Governors’ wives, said showcasing their talents will go a long way in stemming the tide of unemployment among them.
The tournament which was tagged; Promoting The Girl Child In Supporting Activities was an avenue for a keenly competed sporting activities among women throughout the period it lasted.
She maintained that women have all it takes to rule the world in sporting and other activities.
She recalled with pride and satisfaction how the Nigerian female football team, The Falcons over the years have been making waves all over the world to demonstrate the fact that what men can do, women can do better if given all the necessary motivations and encouragements.
Commending Mrs Obaseki for a job well done in organising the sporting encounters among females in Edo state, Mrs Oyetola noted that the timing was not only apt but laudable when situated against the clarion call to discover new talents especially women in the world of sports.
“I thank Mrs Obaseki for the wonderful gesture of using sporting activities in Edo state to promote the spirit of unity, oneness and cohesion among the youths especially the females in the state.
“To the participants, I want to seize this opportunity to urge you not to bury your multi talents, instead, continue to explore all the necessary avenues at your disposal to tell the people of Edo state and Nigeria as a whole that you are ready to conquer the world in the field of sporting activities.
” I wish you the best in all your present and future engagements in sports and other day to day activities in life.”
Earlier in her remarks , the organiser of the sporting tournaments who is also the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki stated that the tournament was principally designed to discover more talents in sporting activities, stressing that such talents abound in Edo state but just waiting for the opportunity to fully tapped and harnessed maximally.
Balyesa Queens and Rivers Angels featured in the finals of the tournaments soccer fiesta.
At the end of the star studded 90 minutes game which paraded stars on both, Balyesa Queens FC emerged the overall winner by trouncing Rivers Angel in a penalty shoot out.
The closing ceremony was witnessed by the Minister for Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu and his wife, Maryam as well as the officials of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).