Kenya U18 captain Amos Wanjala wins prestigious award
29th December 2023
Wanjala bagged the coveted POAK sportsman of the year award
- Wanjala garnered 4007 votes to emerge the winner in the closely contested race.
- His closest competitor amassed 3846 votes.
- In the women’s category, Abigail Rehema (379) won the award ahead of Whitney Okore with only 12 votes separating them.
The Kenya national under 18 captain Amos Wanjala has bagged
the coveted sportsman of the year award thanks to the excellent season he had
in 2023.
According to the organizers Pride of Kenya Awards (POAK), Wanjala garnered 4007 votes to emerge the winner in the closely contested race with his closest competitor amassing 3846 votes.
In the women’s category, Abigail Rehema (379) won the award ahead of Whitney Okore with only 12 votes separating them.
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Wanjala guided the St. Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale football team famously known as “Solidarity Boys” to the national title in the tournament which was held at Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium in August.
A few months later, the 17-year-old was influential in Junior Stars’ good run in the CECAFA Championships, helping the team reach the final where they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by the East African football Powerhouse Uganda.
A delighted Wanjala thanked his loyal fans for enabling him win the award and the love that they have shown him this year.
“My heart is full of gratitude towards everyone who went into their pockets to vote for me. The competition was very stiff towards the last five minutes but you guys never gave up.
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I’m grateful for the love and support you’ve shown me ever since I was nominated. This win is all because of you guys,” he stated.
The gifted defender is among Kenyan youngsters who landed a deal this year to train and study at the Nastic Sports Academy in Spain.
Other stars who are currently nurturing their talents at the institution include skillful forward Adrine Kibet and Allan Kasavuli.
POAK was launched in 2005 with the primary purpose of celebrating, sponsoring and empowering untapped talents in the country.
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“Our mission is to empower and celebrate Kenyan talents, recognizing the extraordinary in the ordinary, and providing them with the support and sponsorship they need to flourish.
“We believe that every artist has the potential to achieve greatness, and we are dedicated to nurturing this potential from the grassroots level to international acclaim,” reads the organizations’ mission.