Three talented players from the Zambia Under-17 national team have embarked on an exciting journey to Madrid, Spain, where they will participate in a one-year La Liga Talents program, a unique academic sports initiative. The trio, consisting of Esther Musialela (Solwezi Queens Academy), Jesse Zulu (Green Buffaloes), and Theresa Musatila (Zesco Ndola Girls), caught the attention of scouts during the 2022 Region VI Games in Malawi. They were integral members of the Zambia Under-17 Women's National Team that clinched a silver medal at the event. Reuben Kamanga, the General Secretary of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), expressed immense pride in this achievement. He noted that FAZ had made significant investments in women's football in recent years and considered sending players to Europe and other top leagues a top priority. Kamanga stated, "This is a moment of pride for the association and indeed the entire nation. We wish to thank Cosafa and La Liga for this partnership, which has opened doors for these youngsters. Our message to the candidates on this program is that they should aim to excel as this will open doors for others. We are lucky that even their school will not suffer as the scholarship covers academic pursuits as well." He further added, "We have just come off a historic FIFA World Cup appearance for the Copper Queens, and already it seems like the seed sown from that success is already blooming." The La Liga Talents program is an academic sports initiative organized by La Liga, and it will be held at the ESC Centre and NBA in Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid. Here, the candidates will combine their studies with rigorous football training, offering them a unique opportunity to develop both academically and athletically. The selection of these candidates was based on evaluations conducted by the La Liga Sports Projects department. The La Liga Talents program is part of an international high-performance football initiative organized by La Liga, aiming to nurture and develop promising football talent worldwide.