No fewer than 100 aspiring female football stars are taking part in the 5-day training programme organised by Maureen Madu, former Nigeria international female football star.
The training which is holding at Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government of Anambra also has former female football players and referees in the team of trainers.
Speaking to newsmen, Madu said the kids would learn the basic football tips in two sessions each day with fitness drills and dance to make it fun.
However, she said provisions were made for 300 kids, but she was impressed with the number of participants that turned out, adding that she was still expecting more to join the camp as the number of forms sold hadn’t been exhausted.
‘Some of them are still on the way, we sold more forms than those here, again, some parents thought it was not going to be this serious. Others considered that Christmas was close, but I am impressed with the outcome in this first edition,’ Madu said.
The former Olympic star said her vision was to expose young girls to the opportunities that are in football as a career just as their male counterparts.
She said the trainees with high potentials would be mentored to become potential signings for local and international clubs.
She added that the kids would also be encouraged to pursue excellence in their education while playing football.
Reacting, Victor Nwangwu, a veteran football administrator who was in the camp noted that it was emotional to him seeing such number of aspiring female footballers.
He commended Madu and her organizing team for giving back to the society that made her while urging the kids to take advantage of the opportunity.
Also, Mr Raymond Odenigbo, one of the parents said he was delighted his daughter was part of the programme as he had wanted to take sports seriously.
Odenigbo said sports help to build the complete child adding that nothing was lost even if she didn’t take it to professional level.
Fides gathered that the girls were between the ages of 10 and 15 years.