By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The General Overseer of The Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanemelu, a.k.a Odumejeje, has called on parents to support their girl child nursing interest in football to participate in the forthcoming Football Kiddies Camp for girls between the age of 5-10 organised by ex-Falcon player, Ambassador Maureen Mmadu.

Speaking during a night vigil service in his church at Onitsha, Anambra State over the weekend, the priest cum singer said that he will pay for the purchase of forms for any child from his church and other churches who want to benefit from the opportunity.

He described the Football Kiddies Camp as a rare privilege made available by the queen of the round leather game to children from the state.

“This is a rare opportunity and I call on parents to embrace it now. Through football, stars have been born, look at my sister, Maureen today. She is a star. I knew when she started here in Onitsha, we played football a lot. We were calling her Maureen football. I even thought I will play professionally but God had a different call for me. She remained focused despite all the challenges she faced then, today she is known all over the world.

“It gladdens my heart that she decided to come home and replicate what she did in Norway, not taking it elsewhere. Our people should learn and begin to think home. Bring your craft home and build the young ones to take over from you like Mau Mau is doing, they are the future we have.

“Gone are the days when people frown at a girl playing football. So, parents encourage your girl child with dream of becoming future falcon players to join the camp and learn from a capable hand. Let’s begin now to nurture them. I will pay for the purchase of forms for all the children from my church that wants to be part of the project. Even those that do not attend my church, I will support them by paying for their forms.

“For all that we do on this earth, the only thing we will be remembered with after we are gone is the good things we did for people, that’s why I love to help people and see them grow and become better people. I derive joy from helping people.”

The stylish, diminutive preacher who is also building a male football team, the Odumejeje Football within his locality in Onitsha, advised children joining the five-day football project to be focused and put their heads down to learn the rudiments of the game as would be taught by Mmadu saying that the journey if taken serious will lead some of the children to great heights.

He added: “Focus is the key. A day starts a journey and this will be the breaking point for some of the kids joining the Football camp in Jesus name.”

Addressing the congregation, the ex-Falcon player/coach, Ambassador Mmadu, urged young girls with dream of becoming professional footballers to continue in their dream by nurturing to growth.

Going down memory lane, she recalled how her late mother discouraged her from following her dream, saying: “I knew I had interest in football, so I didn’t let my mother’s hate for my playing football deter me. I remained focused till I broke through.

“Mothers please allow your girl child live her dream. Your role is to support and encourage her all the way. Gone are the days when people frown at women playing football. Things have changed and women are making names for themselves in football now like the men folk.”

Update news