BY SAB OSUJI

No fewer than 18 football academies are on the cards for the maiden Maureen Mmadu Football Academy Talent Hunt program which got underway Friday, 13 September, 20w4, at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

It was a carnival-like atmosphere at the famous arena as the youngsters offload the abundant skills in them to impress Dan Eggen and his partner for a possible selection.

The five-day program, which has the blessings of Anambra FA, will come to a fitting close on Tuesday, 17 September with the players getting a final look-in via an-all-selected-players match.

During Friday's opening day matches, Maureen Mmadu Football Academy edged past Scouting Talent FA 2-1 just as St Nwadinso FA, an NLO side settled for a scoreless draw with Maureen Mmadu FA Team B.

Dan Eggen, the Norwegian scout, was full of appreciation for the teams rendition of thrilling football skills.

"Great talents, wonderful skills", Eggen snapped.

But Mmadu, a former Super Falcons midfielder said her motivation in floating the exercise despite the austere economic situation in the country was to creat a platform through which Anambra State youths could get the opportunities to discover and develope their football skills.

"It isn't easy at all given the state of the National economy. But I had to do it even without a sponsor just to offer that platform for the kids of the state to get the opportunity to discover and develop their talents.

"I'll remain eternally grateful to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs for her support", Mmadu said.