Betway Ghana Gives Professional Contracts To Eight Finalists

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 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 the 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 Richard 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.