Why Tso Vilakazi, Benson Mhlongo and Co. made Betway program

The sport and online gaming brand unveiled former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielders Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi, Benson Mhlongo, boxer Hekkie Budler and canoe Olympic medalist Bridgette Hartley – to name a few – as part of the initiative. Now in its second season, Shield expanded on the reasons why these were the chosen 12.

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''We have essentially picked quite a diverse group of individuals, we obviously wanted to get participants from various sporting codes, some lesser sportings codes than others. But at the end of the day it was really about which are the individuals who wanted to be involved with such a program. This program mainly requires a buy-in from the participants, for them to invest a lot of time and a lot of energy into it,’’ said Shield.

Shield revealed there was a rigorous interview process to confirm the applicants that have already started attending workshops this week. 

''We had multiple interviews with various athletes, and these are the 12 athletes that have come through the interview process. Ones that we think will add a lot of value and move forward within their careers and post playing careers. So that's the criteria we used to pick the athletes,'' added Shield.

With retired athletes usually struggling to make the transition at the end of their careers, Shield believes the platform will be a massive game-changer.

Shield said participants, who will also share their experiences with ambassadors Simphiwe Dludlu, Lucas Radebe and Siphiwe Tshabalala, might opt to pursue other careers outside sport at the end of the four-month training.