There is no doubt about it that Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has turned around the fortune of sports in Ekiti State.
The transformation and various reforms in Ekiti have actually taken sports to an enviable position thereby making Ekiti rank among the leading states in Nigeria.
The outstanding performance of Ekiti State teams in the national league competitions are clear evidence of upgraded sports facilities and human development in the state sports circle.
It was victory at last for Ekiti State as Ekiti Queens, also known as BAORESS Babes outplayed Bayelsa Queens in their last and final match of the season with a hard fought one-nil victory.
The undeterred BAORESS Babes gave the visiting Bayelsa Queens the challenge of their lives despite their position as the league leaders
The victory implies that Ekiti Queens are champions of the champion.
The significance of the victory is that it further consolidated the position of Ekiti Queens as the fourth best in the female football league this season.
Though the team did not qualify for the Super Six but it confirmed the doggedness of the BAORESS Babes to remain in the elite league of female football as many top rated teams fell by the wayside.
It is unimaginable that in a championship where teams like Pacesetter Queens of Ibadan, Osun Babes of Osogbo and Sunshine Queens of Akure are going on relegation, Ekiti Queens stands tall and maintained a reasonable fourth position in their league contest, keeping their promise of reciprocating Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s contributions to sports development.
The enviable position of Ekiti Queens underscores the challenges the team went through in the course of the championship.
Despite being banished to Abeokuta for three consecutive home matches , Ekiti Queens fought hard to beat giants in the league and maintained a well disciplined team.
Such teams that suffered defeat from Ekiti Queens were Naija Ratels who were beaten one-nil in Ado Ekiti and Pacesetter Queens who were also beaten both home and away 2-0 and 1-2. The BAORESS Babes again displayed their arsenal against Heartland Queens beating the Owerri side two goals to nothing. Ibom Angels was another victim of the firing squad of the Ekiti warlords as they suffered a two nil defeat in Ado Ekiti.
With these victories and others, Ekiti Queens have given a befitting campaign gift to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji who is currently campaigning round the state.
At the top of the league table were Bayelsa Queens with 37 points, Edo Queens with 36 points and Rivers Angels with 34 points while Ekiti Queens finished fourth with 22 points.
Toyin Ayoola
