Sports

After ₦494m NNL Sponsorship Shake-up, BetPawa Unveils Tekno as Brand Ambassador

Published

3 days ago

October 2, 2025

Bisi Dare
Africa’s biggest iGaming brand, betPawa, is raising the stakes in Nigeria. Days after announcing a ₦494 million Locker Room Bonus sponsorship for the Nigeria National League (NNL), the company unveiled Afro-pop sensation Tekno as its new brand ambassador at a colourful event in Lagos.

The unveiling highlights betPawa’s strategy of blending football, music, and culture to connect with young Nigerians.

Tekno, one of the country’s most celebrated hitmakers, now becomes the face of Africa’s “home of big winners,” carrying a message that extends beyond gaming into lifestyle and inspiration.

“Tekno represents everything betPawa stands for — energy, creativity, and breaking boundaries,” said Borah Omary Ndanyungu, Head of Local Marketing & CSR at betPawa.

“His music inspires millions, just as football does. This announcement comes on the heels of our ₦494m investment in Nigerian football through the Locker Room Bonus. For us, it’s about rewarding performance on the pitch and creating unforgettable experiences off it.”

Tekno, known for chart-topping singles like Pana and Skeletun, welcomed the partnership: “I’ve always been about pushing limits, from the studio to the stage. That’s why betPawa felt like family. The odds, the payouts, the innovation — it’s a game-changer. And you know me, I’m here for winners only,” he said.

*Locker Room Bonus reshaping football*
The Locker Room Bonus initiative, launched in Abuja earlier this month, guarantees ₦56,000 direct mobile-money payments to 20 players and three technical staff from every winning NNL team — ₦1,288,000 in total per match. With 292 games scheduled, over ₦369m will go directly to players and staff this season. Another ₦100m will support league operations, while ₦8.1m is reserved for end-of-season awards.

For the NNL, the deal is about more than cash; it represents professionalism and transparency. Club officials have already been trained on the Locker Room Bonus platform, which digitises line-up verification and automates payments, ensuring instant rewards for players.

A brand bridging culture and sport

The unveiling of Tekno signals that betPawa is embedding itself in Nigerian culture. From its 1,250% sports win bonus — the highest in Africa — to its exclusive 1M x multiplier on JetX crash games, the company is positioning itself as the “home of big winners.”

But the brand says its mission goes beyond business. “Across Africa, we’ve shown our commitment to grassroots development. Whether through Locker Room Bonuses or supporting local leagues, our focus is on empowering players and fans,” Borah added.

At the Abuja launch, stakeholders urged betPawa to extend support to women’s football and basketball, areas where the company already invests in other African markets. The brand’s track record shows inclusivity, ensuring equal rewards for men’s and women’s leagues where it operates.
By investing in both sport and culture, betPawa is shaping a new model of corporate sponsorship in Nigeria — one that fuels ambition on the pitch, drives creativity in music, and empowers communities.

As Tekno prepares to release new music and the NNL gears up for its November kickoff, the synergy of football and Afro-pop promises to keep Nigeria buzzing. For betPawa, this is just the beginning of a bigger story.

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Sports

Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish

Published

43 mins ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.

The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.

“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.

Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.

“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.

To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.

“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.

The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.

Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.

“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.

Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.

“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”

Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.

“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.

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