Amos Wanjala: Kenya Junior Stars Captain Named Sportsman of the Year in POKA Awards

• Amos Wanjala is the Pride of Kenya Awards Sportsman of the Year
• The centre-back played a vital role in Kenya’s CECAFA Under-18 journey
• Wanjala secured a training opportunity with Nastic Sports Academy

Amos Wanjala, the captain of Kenya's national under-18 team, has secured the prestigious Sportsman of the Year award, marking his outstanding performance in 2023.

Organized by the Pride of Kenya Awards (POKA), Wanjala garnered an impressive 4007 votes, securing victory in a closely contested race.

His closest competitor amassed 3846 votes, highlighting the fierce competition for the accolade.

Abigail Rehema emerged victorious in the women's category with 379 votes, surpassing Whitney Okore by a margin of only 12 votes, reports SportPesa News.

Expressing his delight, Wanjala extended gratitude to his loyal fans for their support and votes that contributed to his victory. He acknowledged the stiff competition and the unwavering support from fans, stressing that the win resulted from their commitment.

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“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. 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 said.

He is among the Kenyan youngsters who secured a training and study opportunity at the Nastic Sports Academy in Spain this year. Notable talents like Adrine Kibet and Allan Kasavuli are also honing their skills at the institution.

Wanjala's notable achievements include guiding the St. Anthony's Boys High School Kitale football team, fondly known as the "Solidarity Boys," to the national title at Kakamega's Bukhungu Stadium in August.

Additionally, the 17-year-old played a crucial role in Junior Stars' commendable performance in the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Championships, where they reached the final but were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Uganda.

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The Pride of Kenya Awards (POKA), launched in 2005, aims to celebrate, sponsor, and empower untapped talents in the country. Their mission, as seen on their website, is to recognize the extraordinary in the ordinary, providing support and sponsorship to nurture talent from grassroots levels to international acclaim.

Junior star’s transfer hits snag

Sports Brief reported that Kenya's rising star, Tyrone Kariuki, faces challenges in realizing his dream move to Spain's Nastic Sports Academy following a reported disagreement between his club, Rainbow FC and the academy itself.

Kariuki, a standout player during the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship with Kenya's Junior Stars, caught the attention of Nastic Sports Academy scouts, who expressed interest in bringing him on board.

However, the negotiation process has reportedly hit a roadblock, with Rainbow FC and Nastic Sports Academy at odds over ownership terms.