Local betting brand betPawa has unveiled a sponsorship deal with the country’s National basketball teams, the Silverbacks (Senior Men) and the Gazelles (Senior Women), set to span the next three years.
Announced today, betPawa has committed to providing the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) with a substantial sum of UGX 2.6 Billion to support the management of these two teams until 2026. This sponsorship encompasses various crucial aspects of team management, including training, travel, accommodation for tournaments, medical insurance, and supplements.
betPawa’s Chief Branding Officer, Spencer Okach, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “The costs to be covered under this partnership include team training, travel & accommodation to attend tournaments, medical insurance and supplements among others.”
betPawa will also implement the Locker Room Bonus initiative, directly rewarding players with UGX 150,000 per match for every win achieved by their respective teams. This initiative aims to uplift player morale and recognize outstanding performances.
FUBA CEO Marcus Kwikiriza remarked, “This is the first time our players are getting an incentive such as the Locker Room Bonus and also the first time in East and Central Africa that a private company is sponsoring a national basketball team.”
The Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, who lauded betPawa for their support. He highlighted the crucial role of private sponsors in bolstering sports development, expressing hope for similar initiatives in Uganda’s sporting landscape.
Albert Ahabwe, the national team manager and administrator, emphasised the transformative impact of betPawa’s sponsorship, noting past financial constraints that hindered the teams’ progress despite their immense talent. He expressed confidence in the teams’ readiness to excel with betPawa’s backing.
betPawa’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ntoudi Mouyelo, underscored the significance of the partnership amid the global spotlight on basketball, particularly with the emergence of the Basketball Africa League. Mouyelo highlighted the potential for increased exposure for Ugandan players to elite clubs both domestically and internationally.
With Uganda’s Silverbacks recently recognized by FIBA as one of the most improved countries in basketball rankings, moving up four places to position 83 out of 160, the sponsorship holds immense promise for further advancements. Mouyelo emphasized the role of such partnerships in propelling the teams towards greater achievements on regional and global stages.
