By Edna A. Quansah/Shadrack Sam, GNA
Accra, Sept. 15, GNA – Ghana’s leading online
sports betting firm, Betway Ghana, has announced eight winners from this year’s
Betway Talent Search (BTS) initiative and drafted them into four Ghana premier
league clubs.
The initiative, is aimed at unearthing rising
talents across the Ghana.
The BTS grand finale, which took place at the
Lizzy Sports Complex witnessed the presence of ex-Black Stars players, coaches
and some officials of Betway Ghana.
The novelty event, which sets out to unearth
rising talents across the country was introduced last year by Ghana’s
forerunner in sports gaming and this year’s hunt which cuts across the length
and breadth of the country in search of young aspiring footballers within the
ages of 18 and 25 ended with 24 players booking a place in the grand finale.
In an interview with the GNA Sports, the
former Juventus star and head of technical team for the BTS, Stephen Appiah
said that, the event was a good initiative, which would help to discover
talents for clubs both in and outside the country.
“I can’t describe the joy because looking at
these players two months ago, they were just there, but today thanks to Betway
Ghana they are going to Premier League clubs. I’m happy and indeed the program
has been successful.
“We would still monitor their progress and
with their talents, I see some of them going far. If other companies also
undertake such initiatives we would have more players. Some of us came from colts’
football but now there’s no colts football. We are thankful there’s a company
undertaking such initiatives.”
The 24 finalists were all awarded with medals
and a free trials with teams in the Ghana premier league.
The top eight shortlisted, were given the
clubs instantly with Sylvester Simba and Stephen Dankwa going to Medeama SC,
Clement Boahen and Holyfield Djanie moving to Liberty Professionals, John Amoah
and Kwaku Duah to Ashanti Gold, while Ricahard Osei and Dodzi Mensah having
trials with the 2017 premier league winners Aduana Stars.
After the trill and drill, Kwaku Duah won the
bronze prize after nailing seven stars while Clement Boahen took home the
Silver prize after winning for eight stars.
Tamale based attacking midfielder, Simba
Sylvester received the golden prize after showcasing some brilliance and
thrilling touches on the field of play.
The 2018 Betway Talent Search winner, Simba
Sylvester expressed his joy saying “I’m very amazed joining Medeama and I’m
prepared for it because they play aggressive football and that’s my style of
play too.”
Executive Member of the Betway Talent Search,
Magnus Rex Danquah stated that the players will be given to the Premier League
teams to undergo six months trial which can warrant them a professional
contract.
Douglas Amaning (2nd Betway Talent Search 2017)
currently plays for Ashanti Gold Sporting Club.
GNA