Stephen Appiah, Chibsah Light up ‘BetWay Up’ Initiative in Kumasi

Ghanaian Football icons Stephen Appiah and Yusif Chibsah played vital roles as BetWay rolled out its ‘BetWay Up’ programme in the Ashanti Region.

Known fully as the ‘BetWay Uplift’, the community assistance initiative was launched earlier this year with the primary aim of providing logistical support and requisite skills to selected sports coaches and players (both male and female) in communities across the various regions in Ghana.

The Ashanti Region edition took place on Wednesday April 22 in Kumasi, becoming the latest activity on the ‘Betway Up’ Programme Calendar.

The programme was undertaken in two-phases; the first being a workshop to train and equip participants through sessions on sports science, sports ethics and integrity, coaching, overall skill development, fitness et al. The second phase entailed donation of sports equipment and other related items to help teams in their operations.

The day’s programme started with the workshop at the Miklin Hotel, Kumasi and drew participants from communities, the local sporting fraternity and the media.

Ghanaian football icon Stephen Appiah, who doubles as a Betway ambassador was engaged as a resource person alongside former Asante Kotoko and Ghana midfielder Yusif Chibsah.

Revered Sports Scientist cum Exercise Medicine Specialist, Dr. Chidi Aniemena-George and Basketball Coach Meme Falconer were also present, as they took participants through various sessions in their respective fields.

The day’s activities climaxed with practical sessions at the Opoku Ware Senior High School Pitch and Basketball Court.

Engaging the media at the sidelines of the event, country Marketing Manager for Betway Ghana, Kwabena Oppong-Nkrumah, highlighted the company’s commitment towards national development through CSR’s.

“For us at Betway, we’ve always believed in coming to the aid of the people and communities we work with.

“We have rolled out several initiatives like the Talent Search, Twelfth Man and a lot to support our communities.

“The BetWay Up is geared towards equipping the various community members who partake in the initiative with the necessary skills to help in their daily activities,” he said.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah further mentioned what necessitated the birthing of the BetWay Uplift Programme.

“During our Talent Search programme Stephen (Appiah) pointed out that most of the Coaches were lagging behind in terms of the necessary training and guidelines to help develop the players under them.

“We therefore created the BetWay Uplift Programme, that uses the services of the likes of Stephen (Appiah), Yusif Chibsah, Meme (Falconer) from basketball who go around the country and engage these coaches and captains, and tutor them on what to do to enhance their skills to aid in their development,” he concluded.

From Kumasi, the ‘Betway Up’ will follow its current trail to another region. Already the initiative has been successfully rolled out in the Central Region.