In an event dubbed Best of Africa (BoA), Harambee Stars skipper and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Victor Wanyama collected Philanthropic Endeavor: Youth Engagement Award, one of the ten honors that were awarded on Tuesday 25th April 2017 during a gala in London.
BoA was founded to support and celebrate African-owned philanthropic endeavors by African players in the English Premier League, the Best of Africa Awards honors and celebrates people and platforms supporting ethical socioeconomic development causes in and for Africa.
Participants of African descent but raised in other countries also receive recognition.
After the launch in 2011, BoA, has grown popular over the years and has received much acceptance across the continent and beyond. The organization has really supported emergence of a more comprehensive appreciation of the modern African Philanthropy story more so in football.
The awards which were up for grabs were divided into two; off-field and on-field categories.
Off-field; Philanthropic Endeavour: Leadership, Philanthropic Endeavour: Advocacy, Philanthropic Endeavour: Youth Engagement, Philanthropic Endeavour: Community Action and Baobab Award
On-field; Outstanding Achievement: Best Player, Outstanding Achievement: Young Player, Outstanding Achievement: Coaching & Management, Outstanding Achievement: Career and Outstanding Achievement:
Wanyama has been very conspicuous (whenever in Kenya) in trying to lift the spirits of young footballers especially those who hail from poor backgrounds. He has provided them with basic needs and also balls, uniforms among others.
‘At BoA, we see the visibility of football and its star players a key conduit for the amplification of the remarkable contribution Excellence, Leadership and Philanthropy can play in the development paradigm in and for Africa.’ read some part of their website.
Wanyama went to Twitter to comment on the issue with much delight “Honored to win an award for my work helping disadvantaged children in Kenya. It is important to help those less fortunate than ourselves.”
Other footballers honored include Curtis Davies, born in Sierra Leone but raised in England and plays for Hull City. He received Philanthropic Endeavour: Community Action.
Wanyama, who was also named African Player of the year award in January by a London-based magazine, featured in the BoA’s first eleven team.
Below is how the whole team looked like.
Goalkeeper- Steve Mandanda (DRC, Crystal Palace)
Defenders
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Erick Bailly (Ivory Coast & Man United), Mamadou Sakho (Senegal & Crystal Palace), Joel Matip (Cameroon & Liverpool)
Midfielders
Victor Wanyama (Kenya & Spurs), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast & Man City), N’golo Kante (Mali & Chelsea), Paul Pogba (Guinea & Man Utd).
Strikers
Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool), Dele Alli (Nigeria & Spurs), Romelu Lukaku (Congo & Everton)
**It is important to note that Kante, Pogba, Alli and Lukaku do not play for their origin countries.
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