Kenyan under 18 captain Amos Wanjala has been awarded the prestigious POAK Sportsman of the Year award. Wanjala had an outstanding season in 2023, leading his team to victory in the national tournament at Bukhungu Stadium and helping the Junior Stars reach the final of the CECAFA Championships. In a closely contested race, Wanjala received 4007 votes, narrowly beating his closest competitor who garnered 3846 votes. In the women’s category, Abigail Rehema won the award with only 12 votes separating her from Whitney Okore.

Wanjala expressed his gratitude to his fans for their support and for voting for him. He credited his win to their loyalty and the love they have shown him throughout the year. He acknowledged the stiff competition he faced in the last few minutes of voting but was thankful that his fans never gave up.

The talented defender is among a group of Kenyan youngsters who have secured a deal to train and study at the Nastic Sports Academy in Spain. Other rising stars, including Adrine Kibet and Allan Kasavuli, are also currently nurturing their talents at the academy.

POAK, which was launched in 2005, aims to celebrate, sponsor, and empower untapped talents in Kenya. They believe that every artist has the potential for greatness and are dedicated to nurturing this potential from grassroots levels to international acclaim.