Baskadia

BY ETTAH EMMANUEL O. The Special Senior Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Sports Development, Mr. Lawrence Etta, on Friday, convened a crucial stakeholders' meeting to discuss the preparations for the highly anticipated 2nd edition of the Queens Cup Women’s Football Tournament 2025. The meeting, which took place at the conference room of the U. J. Esuene stadium Calabar. brought together key dignitaries, including the Director of Sports, Mr. Moses Agbor,

the 2nd Vice President of the Cross River State Football Association, Dr Godwin Odey, the Secretary, Mr Talabi Okey and top representatives from local government teams and private football clubs. According to Mr. Etta, the Queens Cup holds significant importance for Her Excellency, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, the First Lady of Cross River State, who is deeply committed to the development of women’s football and the empowerment of young girls through sports.

• BIGGER AND BETTER EDITION IN 2025 Mr. Etta assured stakeholders that the 2025 edition of the Queens Cup will be bigger and better than its predecessor. He highlighted several exciting incentives, including: ✅ Free team registration ✅ Provision of jerseys for participating teams He emphasized that the tournament will not only promote grassroots women’s football but also serve as a platform to discover future talents who will represent Cross River State’s female team, Pelican Stars,

And potentially get recruited into national teams. • CALL FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT In his address, Mr. Etta urged the 18 Local Government Chairmen across the state to throw their full support behind Her Excellency’s vision by investing in the competition and encouraging female participation. “The Queens Cup is not just a tournament; it is a movement to positively impact the girl child in Cross River.

This platform will give many young girls an opportunity to pursue their football dreams and change their lives,” he stated. • SCOUTS TO IDENTIFY RISING STARS A major highlight of the competition will be the presence of local and national scouts who will identify the best-performing players for professional football opportunities. This initiative aligns with the state’s broader vision of producing top-tier female footballers who can compete at national and international levels.

Conclusively, With preparations in full swing and strong backing from the government, the 2nd edition of the Queens Cup Women’s Football Tournament 2025 is set to be a landmark event in Cross River’s sports calendar. The tournament promises to be a breeding ground for emerging talents and a testament to the unwavering commitment of Her Excellency, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, to the advancement of women’s football in the state.