By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Ex-Super Falcons star player and Assistant Coach Maureen Mmadu has been inducted as Ambassador of Anambra State Football by the Caretaker Committee of the State Football Association led by Dr. Emeka Okeke.

The committee also used the occasion, on Monday, to appoint the ex-international into the Women Football Committee which was earlier inaugurated to revive the comatose female football in the state.

Addressing journalists at the event held at the new FA Complex in Awka, the state capital, Dr. Okeke said that the former Falcons star has a wealth of experience that will be vital in building a formidable female team in the state.

He regretted that female football has been in a comatose state for so long in the state despite the fact that Anambra is an A state.

Okeke called on stakeholders and lovers of sports to join hands in building a new sports-vibrant state.

He said: “As caretaker committee, we want to set a pace that the incoming executive cannot afford to ignore. In fact, in three months, we will achieve what is only achievable in eight years.

“We are here to work and we are not living any stone unturned. We want to raise as many female football club as we can so they can begin to compete among themselves. From there, we want select the best for the state. We will give our support the best way we can.”

In her speech, Mmadu described her appointment as a call to duty, saying that she will contribute her quota to ensure that the state comes up with a reputable team.

She wondered why a state like Anambra is not heard or seen in the women league, describing the situation as regrettable.

“What I am here for is to give the best to the state, no half-baked, no connection games; you just have to be good to make the team.

“I am happy this is happening, I have long yearned for it. I started my football career here, Onitsha precisely, Ado girls. We have talented female players and we need to harness them for their good and that of the state,” Mmadu said.

The football star who also played and coached in faraway Norway thanked the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for the initiative and the state FA Caretaker Committee for honouring her with an ambassadorial position.

She gave the assurance that she and her team she will not allow the fire given to them go off.

•PHOTO: Ex-Falcons star Maureen Mmadu being inducted as Ambassador of Anambra State Football by the State FA Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Emeka Okeke