Betway partners Stephen Appiah to launch 12th Man Programme

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By Edna
A. Quansah, GNA

Accra, February 27, GNA- Leading online sports
betting company, Betway, has in partnership with former Black Stars Captain,
Stephen Appiah launched an initiative dubbed “the Betway 12th Man”
campaign at the Alisa Swiss Spirit Hotel in Accra.

The sports development initiative, targeted at
ex-football professionals is a unique concept created by the online betting
brand with an aim to touch the lives of local communities.

The initiative titled in football terms as the
“12th Man”, would see ten former footballers comprising seven males and three
females embark on a life-changing four-month journey, which would see them
graduate with a variety of skills and qualifications to increase their chances
of employment.

During this period, Betway alongside the
Programme’s Ambassador, Stephen Appiah, would invite various industry experts
from the fields of coaching, broadcast, finance, and event management to give
the former players practical skills that they can use in their communities.

Speaking at the launch on Wednesday evening,
Betway Ghana’s Country Manager (Marketing), Kwabena Oppong-Nkrumah said the
brand was excited about launching such a life-changing initiative.

“We are excited to be launching such a
powerful programme. Betway takes pride in making a meaningful difference in
Ghanaian communities. Through the 12th Man programme, we look forward to
honouring and upskilling our former football heroes who have done so much for
the country,” Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah said. 

The four-month programme which is set to get
underway from 26 February will see the former players kicking off the 12th Man
campaign with a Skills Acquisition Course. Upon completion of the skills
acquisition course, the players would have an opportunity to further upskill
themselves through certified courses organized by the Chartered Institute of
Marketing Ghana (CIMG) and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
(GIMPA).

The former stars would then go on to complete
a Club Administration and Project Management course that would reveal some of
the behind-the-scenes planning that comes with running a professional
club. 

Betway 12th Man ambassador, Appiah, said the
initiative was dear to his heart, considering how a number of his former
teammates have unfortunately been forgotten – even after their memorable
contributions towards Ghana football.

“As a former footballer, I am honoured to lead
such a life-changing program. I see many of my friends I shared dressing rooms
and cracked jokes with go through very difficult times.

“I believe the Betway 12th Man is such an
important initiative to give back to these legends who have invested so much in
the game. Our football is where it is today because of the time and effort they
gave and I have to applaud Betway for recognising and upskilling them in such
an impactful manner,” Appiah said.

The ten former players who were selected out
of a 40 are Yaw Amankwah Mireku (Accra Hearts of Oak SC, Viva Karela), Abass
Hamdia (Black Queens, World Cup Squad), Adwoa Bayor (Black Queens, Ghatel
Ladies, FC Indiana), Ali Jarrah (Accra Hearts Of Oak, Ghana U17), Lydia Ankrah
(Black Queens, Post Ladies), Awudu Issaka (Anderlecht, 1860 Munich II, Liberty
Professionals FC).

The rest are Dan Quaye (Accra Hearts of Oak,
Chongqing Lifan, Beijing Baxy), Isaac Amoako (Asante Kotoko SC, Dreams F.C),
Patrick Villars (Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs, Trabzonspor, Qingdao Hailifeng), and
Peter Ofori-Quaye  (Kalamata, Olympiacos,
Accra Hearts of Oak)

GNA