By Ahabu Bwesigye
Former Uganda Cranes midfielder Jackson Mayanja has started a football academy named 'MIA MIA Academy' that he says will equip kids with the basic football skills.
Mayanja held his first classes with the kids Monday morning at the Mandela national stadium
Jackson Mayanja was nicknamed 'MIA MIA' meaning 'perfect', by El Masry fans for his near perfect skill during his time with the Egyptian side in the early nineties.
The ex Uganda Cranes and KCCA fc midfielder isn't impressed by most of the footballers in the country today, saying they lack basic skills like ball control.
This is what prompted him to start an academy to equip young children with basic football knowledge
“My academy is focused on teaching young and interested football players with necessary skills that will make them future players,” says Mayanja.
Mayanja says one of the biggest problems of Ugandan football is that most players start playing late and miss out on the basics of the game.
He intends to follow the kids he trains through to their schools, with their teachers to ensure that they put what he teaches them to practise for the good of the game.
The gifted footballer says, "We started training today and this program will be running during holidays when kids are back home from school but most importantly I will be following these kids at their schools to keep them practing."
Jackson Mayanja is arguably one of the best attacking midfielders Uganda has had having played for KCCA FC, El Masry and Es Tunis among other clubs during the 80's and 90's.