By Aderonke Ojo
Sports betting company, BetPawa has launched its first initiative to support the Nigeria National League (NNL), introducing a N56,400 Locker Room Bonus for matchday squad players and technical staff.
The initiative was unveiled at an official ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, where the NNL announced a landmark N494,456,709 partnership with BetPawa aimed at transforming the nation’s second-tier football league.
BetPawa’s Head of Local Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Ms Borah Ndanyungu, said the initiative would help professionalise the league, motivate players, and boost grassroots sports.
“BetPawa has been operating in Nigeria for over three years and has similar initiatives in Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
“The Locker Room Bonus rewards players with instant cash after victories to motivate athletes and professionalise sports in Africa,” she said.
She explained that only registered matchday squad players with mobile money accounts would receive the bonus directly into their wallets after each win.
Ndanyungu noted that the initiative, already implemented in Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Malawi, had transformed sports motivation.
In Ghana, for instance, Premier League players receive ₵400 (about N56,400) for every match won.
She stressed that the initiative in Nigeria was a CSR project and not business-driven, adding that the NNL would not be included on BetPawa’s betting platform.
“Similar initiatives in Ghana have run successfully for three years, with 60 per cent of the investment going directly to players and 40 per cent to local rights-bearing partners.
“This demonstrates our commitment to sports development in Africa,” she added.
Ndanyungu commended the leadership of the NNL for transparency and accountability, noting that the partnership would help strengthen football structures and boost the morale of clubs. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
