Adam Mouktar Mohammed made the pledge when he welcomed the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh, to his office on Friday, with the Ratels Boss presenting him with Naija Ratels FC Souvenirs.

The seasoned Football Administrator who has aided the growth of football in the Federal Capital with his numerous initiatives since resuming office as Chairman, further expressed satisfaction at the quality of preparation going on ahead of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa, noting that the Association will surely play a pivotal role to ensure huge success.

“Today is indeed a historic day and I am very delighted to receive the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation, Barrister Paul Edeh.” Mouktar said.

“I have been a big fan of your Football Club, Naija Ratels Football Club, even before we met and it’s all because of the passion you have put in place to make it a success in less than two years. We would keep supporting all your projects and we want to use this medium to officially say that the FCT Football Association under my leadership has endorsed the upcoming Flying Officers Cup and we shall work together to ensure we have a very robust competition.” He Concluded.

Speaking also at the meeting between the two parties, President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation, Barrister Paul Edeh, hailed the FCT FA Boss for deeming it fit to give necessary supports to Naija Ratels FC and the Flying Officers Cup. “The official presentation of the Naija Ratels FC jersey signifies the symbolic mark of our club with the FCT F.A. We would also like to seek your support to set up an Academy here at the FCT, which also goes in-line with your policies on grassroots football.

“Ratels Sports Development Foundation look forward to a strong collaboration and relationship with the FCT F.A. We are indeed appreciative of the support that we’ve already gotten from the Association.

“Our intention is to leave a positive legacy for Football in Nigeria, so that we can contribute to future generations, but to achieve these objectives, we need the support and assistance of Organisations like the FCT Football Association.

The third edition of the Flying will hold in Abuja, from the 10th to the 24th of October 2021.

Four Bayelsa Queens players, one each from Confluence Queens, Royal Queens and Nasarawa Amazons, while two each representing Naija Ratels and Edo Queens made the official Flying Officers Cup 2020 team of the tournament. .

The team was selected by a 5- strong panel of technical study group, led by Oluchi Tobe-chukwu, which also included some top women football journalists. The technical observers made their choices based on various criteria, which had been outlined before the tournament.

1. Onyinyechi Okeke, (Bayelsa Queens)

Okeke was arguably player of the match in the final against Nasarawa Amazons, capping off a marvelous tournament between the sticks for the ‘Restoration Girls’. It was hard to blame her for any of the goals the champions conceded. The former Edo Queens Goalie brought a claiming presence to her team’s backline.

2. Alani Jumoke (Edo Queens)

Jumoke was quietly effective at right-back for the Obaseki girls. The former Jokodolu Babes defender showed great energy in getting up and down the flank and also made some timely tackles and interceptions at the back and even scored an important goal against Naija Ratels. Her major contender in this position is Naija Ratels Aishat Animashaun, who was also fantastic all through the competition.

3. Uzoamka Igwe (Bayelsa Queens).

Uzoamka played with intelligence and maturity that is usually associated with players of her calibre. She did so well from her left full back position and initiated some of Bayelsa Queens goals.

4. Chioma Oliseh (Royal Queens).

The young forward was terrific and was the engine room of her team, breaking up opposition attacks and starting her team’s own with some fine all round displays. Though her side narrowly lost out of semi-final, Oliseh was superb even without captain Osas Enoma. She scored two goals from her position, one from a corner kick against Kaduna Queens, the other a fantastic free-kick against Edo Queens.

5. Paulina Ali (Naija Ratels FC)

It does feel right to label Naija Ratels a surprise package, but Ratels certainly exceeded all expectations at the Flying Officers Cup. Ali was solid and resolute at the back and helped her side concede less than any side in the competition.

6. Abidemi Ibe (Bayelsa Queens)

A top class centre half, Ibe was too strong for most opposing attackers. The former Ibom Angels defender marshalled the Restoration Ladies backline brilliantly, with her reading of the game particularly impressive.

7. Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens) Voted player of the the tournament, her decisive contributions in front of goal and her high work rate from all part of the pitch ensured Bayelsa Queens had a clinical edge to go with their solid foundation. She was practically everywhere on the pitch and was a great leader too.
8. Aminat Bello (Naija Ratels)

She had a great partnership upfront with jolly friend Grace Obi and was involved in general play, conjuring and contributing to match winning moments as Olowookere Bankole’s ladies made it all the way to the semi-finals.

9. Joy Omewa (Confluence Queens)

She scored six goals to emerge top scorer, including the famous five goals against Honey Badgers FC.

Though her side failed to make it past the first round, her influence on the pitch was top-notch and her goals gave her team a good record in the competition.

10. Osas Igbinovia (Edo Queens)

The Super Falcons midfielder was brilliant in every match she played, helping Edo Queens control possession and demonstrating a useful ability to continually identify and execute the right pass at the right moment.

11. Chiemere Opara (Nasarawa Amazons)

After a lengthy hiatus from football, because of a career threatening injury, Cheimere Opara scored two important goals for her side, to ensure they got to the final of the Flying Officers Cup. The diminutive forward gave the Christopher Danjuma side a lot of life upfront.

Mr and Mrs Akintunde Arotile who were special guest of honor at the final of the Flying Officers Cup, a competition set up in honour and memory of their daughter who was regarded as a great patriot during her time.

Some of the top football administrators in the country were also in attendance as the final of the biggest women football Preseason Championship in Africa took center stage in Abuja on sunday evening.

LMC Chairman and second vice President of the NFF, Mallam Shehu Dikko, NWFL Chairperson Aisha Falode, Nasarawa State Commissioner for sports, Othman Bala Adam, Chief Operating Officer of NWFL, Mrs Faith Ben-Anuge, Former Ex-international and Chairman of Confluence Queens, Abdul Sule and a whole host of others were in attendance as Bayelsa Queens won Nasarawa Amazons 1-0 in the final game.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of the NWFL, Aisha Falode was impressed with the organisation of the event and openly praised them for doing a great job.

Mr Akintunde Arotile, Father of the deceased Flying Officer, who was emotional and also grateful to Ratels Sports Foundation for honouring his daughter, described her as a special, talented and brave child. Mr Arotile went on to say his daughter was a very religious person and loved to cater for the welfare of the less privileged girl child.

Ratels Sports Foundation President, Barrister Paul Edeh while speaking thanked all the dignitaries that graced the final of the 2020 Edition of the Flying Officers Cup and promised to make the event even bigger next year.

Bayelsa Queens were crowned Champions after defeating Nasarawa Amazons 1-0 in the final on Sunday evening at the Guards Brigade Stadium, Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment, Abuja.

The prize money of N500,000, N300,000 N200,000 and N150,000 was paid respectively, after the final game between Nasarawa Amazons and Bayelsa Queens.

The President of Ratels Sports Foundation, Barrister Paul Edeh said it was neccesary for the payment to be made in time, announced and well documented for transperancy sake.

The legal luminary also thanked all the teams that participated at the Preseason Championship and urged them to use the technical lessons learnt from the competition to prepare well ahead of their various leagues.

Beyond the prize money, clubs that crashed out in the first round will get N60,000 each, while all their coaches will also smile home with N20,000 each.

Furthermore, clubs also got free accomodations all through the period of the competition with their feedings well taken care of by the organisers and they were also given set of branded jerseys with ten branded balls each.

The Flying Officers Cup was formerly known as the Naija Ratels Pre-season Championship and it was renamed to honour the memories of the late Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile.

Football may be a team sport, but a few selected players delivered such outstanding individual performances over the course of 7 days as to merit and receive special recognition.

Bayelsa Queens Captain Joy Jerry was honoured with the MVP award as the tournament’s best player, her teammate Onyinyechi Okeke won the best goalkeeper award, Naija Ratels Midfielder Emmanuel Blessing’s superb Semi-final strike against Nasarawa Amazons was voted best goal of the championship, while Confluence Queens attacker Joy Omewa ended as topscorer with six goals.

Most Valuable Player~ Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens)

Best Goalkeeper ~ Onyinyechi Okeke (Bayelsa Queens)

Highest Goalscorer~ Joy Omewa (6Goals)

Best Goal of the Tournament~ Emmanuel Blessing (Naija Ratels)

Coach of the Tournament~ Moses Aduku (Bayelsa Queens)

Best Behaved Coach ~Bankole Olowookeere (Naija Ratels)

Fair Play Award~ Naija Ratels

The eventual champions, Bayelsa Queens defeated last year’s winner Edo Queens in the semifinals before going on to defeat Nasarawa Amazons in the final on Sunday.

Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Ms. Aisha Falode declared the final game opened, while the mother of the late Flying Officer Mrs. Arotile performed the official kick.

Before kick-off, a moment of silence was held in memory of the late Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile, whose parents were present here at the Guards Brigade Stadium.

Barakat Olaiya scored the only goal of the game for Bayelsa Queens in the 14th minute to clinch the title for the 2018 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Champions. That was Barakat Olaiya’s only goal of the tournament and it was a precious one for her side.

Bayelsa Queens ward off threats from 2019 AITEO Cup Champions, Nasarawa Amazons to win the biggest Women Football Pre-Season Championship in Africa.

They commenced their campaign with a 7-0 win over Honey Badgers. Followed it with two draws against Confluence Queens and Nasarawa Amazons in the group stage before defeating Edo Queens in the semi-final.

As Champions, Bayelsa Queens will go home with a trophy and N500,000 prize money.

Second-placed Nasarawa Amazons will also go home with N300,000 prize money for their efforts, while Edo Queens will hold on to N200,000.

The Parents of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria first ever female helicopter combat pilot graced the semi-final match of the Flying Officers Cup, which was renamed in honour of her memory.

The late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile contributed significantly to combat operations against insecurity on the northern states of Nigeria and was considered as a patriotic and fearless officer during her life time.

Mr and Mrs Akintunde Arotile were given a standing ovation as they made their way into the Guards Brigade Stadium, while Naija Ratels were battling with Nasarawa Amazons in one of the semifinal fixture on Saturday.

The couple’ will also join other dignitaries to attend the final of the Flying Officers Cup on sunday evening in Abuja where Nasarawa Amazons will face Bayelsa Queens in the final.

In the same vein, the coaches of the four teams namely Confluence Queens, Royal Queens, Kaduna Queens and Honey Badgers will smile home with a cash gift of N20,000 each.

Barrister Edeh made this announcement when he held a meeting with all participating clubs in the 2020 Flying Officers Cup on Friday evening. He noted that it is neccesary to encourage and lend a shoulder of support to the four teams who couldn’t go past the first round.

“I must commend you all for coming out here to participate in the Flying Officers Cup. For me I think you are all winners even though you didn’t go far here.

“The spirit of sportsmanship is key and it will must always remember that participation is important.

“I am giving this token just to encourage you guys and make you believe you can do better next time. He concluded.

Ratels Sports Foundation are the sole sponsors of the Flying Officers Cup 2020, where eight women football clubs across the country are participating with the winner going home with a cash prize of N500,000, second placed team N300,000 and third place N200,000.

The final will hold on Sunday between two NWFL Premiership heavyweights, Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons.

The former Confluence Queens player told the Media after their semifinal clash with Naija Ratels FC that they will give their all when it matters most on Sunday.

” We had a very difficult semifinal game with Naija Ratels, we never expected it to be that tough.

” We expect the final against Bayelsa Queens to be even more tougher. We respect them alot, but we also have a team that can spring out surprises on a good day.

” Playing in the final is special and I want the memories to linger with me for long and that can only be possible if we end up winning. She concluded.

Nasarawa Amazons and Bayelsa Queens will clash at the final of the Flying Officers Cup 2020. The third place match will be between Naija Ratels and Edo Queens.

Sikiratu Isah converted a penalty in the sixth minute after Naija Ratels’ goalie, Omilana Faith had brought down Chemebere Opara to score the first goal of the game for Nasarawa Amazons.

Naija Ratels FC put up an impressive fight in the second half to equalise in the 53rd minute. Blessing Emmanuel scored a wonderful goal to level the scoreline.

Both sides could not be separated after 90 minutes and the lottery of penalties decided the winner.

Nasarawa Amazons went on to defeat Naija Ratels FC 5-4 on penalties to book a date with Bayelsa Queens in the final of the 2020 Flying Officers Cup.

Naija Ratels FC on the other hand will trade tackles with Edo Queens, the same team that defeated them 1-0 in their final group game in the third-place match.