The Betway Talent Search ended on a high note with the announcement that the plan to send the top player to the United Kingdom for a West Ham United experience had been extended to include another lucky winner.
Over the past month Forwardzone has been on the ground in Kenya executing the Betway Talent Search with its Local partners. Over the past weekend Betway Revealed the two beneficiaries of the initiative which were Mark Nthiwa, a 20-year-old from Githurai, Nairobi, and Moses Gitau, a 21-year-old from Shanzu, Mombasa.

The announcement was made at a ceremony at the Moi Sports Center Kasarani, Nairobi at the culmination of the Betway Talent Search, which was aimed at improving football talent in Kenya.

The decision to send, not one, but two footballers was taken by Betway after witnessing the vast amount of talent on offer during the elite football camp where the top 16 players in the Betway Talent Search sought to demonstrate their skill.

Nthiwa and Gitau were selected by a panel that included Francis Kimanzi, Mathare United Coach, Josh Ewans, West Ham United Technical Football Coach and Adam Crossley, Sports Scientist and Training Analyst for West Ham United first team, with the Forwardzone experts driving the program with Betway

Also present at the ceremony was renowned Kenyan footballer and Betway Brand Ambassador Dennis Oliech, who gave the players a one-on one-session on how to make that all important step from amateur football to career football.

Nthiwa, a goalkeeper, was lauded for his exceptional skill at the goalpost while Gitau, an attacking midfielder, was noted for his precision and playmaking skills. Both upcoming stars expressed optimism that the trip to the U.K would be a game changer for their careers.

Betway with Partners Forwardzone had invited 1600 trialist to trials running during the October month over two weekend at the Goan Institute, with 16 top players and winners being invited to a camp at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi

“I had initially lacked the fare to come to Nairobi for the camp, but fortunately, I got it at the last minute through the generous sacrifice of my parents. I dedicate this to them,” said Moses Gitau, adding that he hopes to advance his career onto the world stage.

Mark Nthiwa also stated that discipline and hard work were essential, adding that these will continue to be his guiding principles as he discerns on how best to kick start a professional career in football.

The Betway Talent Search is the first of its kind in Kenya. “We have pioneered this industry trend in all earnest because we believe in Kenya’s football talent and want to give more exposure to as many rising players as possible,” said Wanja Gikonyo, the Country Manager for Betway.

Forwardzone is proud to have partnered with Betway to execute this ground breaking initiative