Betway Kenya has sponsored former Harambee Stars striker and current brand ambassador Dennis Oliech, to attend a one-week professional coaching workshop in South Africa.
In a statement on Friday, the company said is looking to give its brand ambassador the groundwork for future in coaching, social development, technical skills, age training and the organisational skills necessary to run football tournaments.
“Our aim is to equip Dennis with the essential skills a football coach needs. He will then be able to pass on that knowledge as well as skills to youth in Kenya,” manager Wanja Gikonyo said.
“This is the first among many training opportunities that Betway has lined up for Dennis. As our ambassador, he will be heavily involved in football talent development across the country. This is one of the ways we are contributing towards spurring development of football in Kenya.”
The training will take place at the famed South Africa World Coaches Konink Nederlandse Voetbal Bond (KNVB) workshop.
The workshop features ambassadors such as Nwankwo Kanu, Ruud Gullit, Philip Cocu, Pierre Van Hooidonk and Kalusha Bwalya.
The KNVB program has trained coaches in countries around the world since 1997 and specialises in transforming individuals ranging from physical education teachers to former professional footballers – all into World Coaches who then impart their knowledge on their communities.
Oliech travels to South Africa on Saturday.
His induction in the program comes against the backdrop of his recent announcement to retire from international football
Oliech first played for the national team in 2002 when as a 17-year-old he played against Nigeria in an international friendly in Lagos.
After that, he went on to play in 68 matches for Harambee stars and scored 34 goals in the process
He turned professional in 2003 and has played for Al-Arabi in Qatar, French League 1 teams Nantes and Ajaccio, league 2 side Auxerre and Dubai CSC in the UAE Division 1 league.