By Isaac Aimurie
Hotel owners, food vendors, transporters and operators of allied businesses in Benin City, the Edo State capital, are having a field day as patronage spikes on account of the ongoing Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament that has pulled huge leg traffic to the city.
Thirteen (13) teams are participating in the 11-day pre-season tournament which has been ranked as the best in Africa, namely: FC Robo, Royaltoms FC, Confluence FC, Osun Babes FC, Bravehearts Ladies FC, Edo Queens FC, Naija Ratels FC, Delta Queens FC, Nasarawa Amazons, Royal Queens FC, Fortress Ladies FC and Heartland Queens. Rivers Angel are expected to join the other teams as the tournament progresses.
Each team has between 25 to 27 members by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)’s standard, made up of players, a technical crew, medical and other support staff who are lodged in different hotels across the city, raising daily receipts for hotel owners.
According to Mr. Mike Osamu, a cab operator, “this football tournament has brought big business for me and other cab owners because we have seen an increase in the passenger figures within the city especially in the evening hours after their daily matches.
“We take the players to shopping malls and other places, some also want to see the Oba’s Palace, the Benin Airport, Ogba Zoological Gardens and Nature Park and other places. Some of the players and staff have made enquiries about the location of cinemas and other fun places they would like to visit during their stay in Benin City.”
Mr. Odion Okhaire, who operates a guest house in the city shared his experience: “This tournament has made the month of September a peak period for hotel owners and the last quarter of the year promises to be good because the annual Alaghodaro event will come after this football tournament.”
Also enjoying the season are sellers of memorabilia who throng the stadia hosting the matches across the city.
