Betpawa Expands Support for Ghanaian Football with New Sponsorship and Player Bonuses
New Sponsorship Initiatives
Betpawa, a sports betting platform in Africa, has announced an expansion of its support for Ghanaian football. The update, shared by Betpawa’s Managing Director for Africa and Chief Commercial Officer, Ntoudi Mouyelo Katoula, confirms the company’s extended sponsorship, now covering both the men’s Premier League and the women’s FA Cup.
“Locker Room Bonus”
One of the cornerstone initiatives introduced by Betpawa is the “Locker Room Bonus”, a unique program providing instant mobile money payments to players immediately after their games. This initiative aims to offer direct, tangible incentives to players, aligning with Betpawa’s broader vision of uplifting African football through consistent, dependable financial support.
According to Katoula, the “Locker Room Bonus” serves three essential purposes:
- Motivating Players: By delivering immediate financial rewards, the bonus encourages players to excel and win in each match, fostering a competitive spirit.
- Timely Payments: Demonstrating to players in Africa that they can receive immediate, reliable payments post-game. Funds are transferred via mobile money systems as soon as players step off the field.
- Professionalizing Ghanaian Football: Through close collaboration with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Betpawa aims to improve the financial landscape for Ghanaian football, making timely payments a standard.
During the 2022/2023 season, Betpawa disbursed approximately 600,000 Ghanaian cedis in locker room bonuses, benefiting around 4,000 players. For the 2023/2024 season, Betpawa has committed to raising this amount to 1.3 million cedis, marking a significant investment in Ghanaian football’s future.
In a notable development, the Locker Room Bonus will, for the first time, be available to players in the women’s FA Cup. Beginning with the round of 16 and extending through to the finals, this financial boost aims to elevate women’s football in Ghana, offering players much-needed support and recognition.
Embracing “The Third Power”
Addressing journalists and fans, Mouyelo emphasized the role of what he called “the third power.” He explained that while Betpawa could initiate and finance these programs, their success largely depends on media and fan support. According to him, this “third power” — the collective voice of journalists, fans, and stakeholders — is essential for amplifying the initiative’s impact and inspiring similar endeavors across other African nations.
“At the end of the day, this initiative means nothing if we don’t have what I call the third power. And you are the third power,” Mouyelo remarked. He urged those in attendance to spread awareness of the program, thereby fostering a culture of player-focused initiatives throughout the region.
A New Model for Corporate Sponsorship in African Football
By extending its sponsorship across genders and implementing initiatives like the Locker Room Bonus, Betpawa is setting a new precedent for corporate sponsorship in African sports. Through its active involvement and financial support, Betpawa not only aims to boost Ghanaian football but also to establish a sustainable model for how corporate sponsors can directly benefit players and foster the professionalization of the sport.
In summary, Betpawa’s expanded sponsorship in Ghana and the innovative Locker Room Bonus initiative reflect a forward-thinking approach to sports sponsorship in Africa, one that prioritizes players and strives for a more professionalized football environment across the continent. As the 2023/2024 season unfolds, Ghanaian football is set to benefit from this substantial corporate backing, bringing new momentum and opportunities for both male and female players.
Recommended