The wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs Seun Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed her commitment to women football in creating opportunities that will propel players to international recognition.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa made the affirmation at the grand finale of the Ondo State Pre-Season Tournament for Women Football Teams at the Akure Stadium on Saturday.
She said that the tournament, which started on Nov. 2, was a celebration of talent, passion, discipline and the unyielding spirit of youth, particularly the women.
The governor’s wife explained that the competition was a platform for female footballers to showcase their skills, build confidence and prepare adequately for the new football season.
“We wanted to rekindle the passion for women’s football in Ondo State, and create opportunities that will propel our players to national and international recognition.
“Sports, and football in particular, have the power to unite, to inspire and to transform lives.
“ This tournament has again reminded us that when given the right support, our girls can compete at the highest level and bring glory to Ondo State and Nigeria,” she said.
She commended the Ondo State Football Agency( OSFA) for its commitment to youths and sports development.
She promised that her office would continue to partner with the agency to ensure that the competition not only continued annually but to grow in scope and impact.
Also speaking, the OSFA Chairman, Divine Ogbonnaya, thanked the governor’s wife for the initiative, describing the tournament as successful with fair officiating.
He said that the agency would continue to prepare the women football team of the state to compete favourably with their counterparts nationwide.
The OSFA Chairman promised that lapses discovered during the tournament would be addressed to strengthen the women football team in the state.
Also, speaking, Biyi Poroye, Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Development Areas Commission ( OSOPADEC), said that the Sunshine Queens FC of Ondo State had demonstrated their skills to become the champions of the tournament.
Poroye promised that the commission would create Football Department to explore potentials and talents of people in the mandate area.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that a football match between the Sunshine Queens of Ondo State and the Fortress Ladies of Edo ended 1-0 in favour of the Queens.
The governor’s wife presented the tournament champions trophy with N500,000, while the second runner up got N300,000.