The Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Wednesday, 3 August announced Nigerian artiste, Mr. Eazi’s online gaming franchise, betPawa, as the headline sponsor of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) for the next three seasons.
The signing ceremony of the three-year deal worth $6 million took place at the headquarters of the Ghana Football Association in Accra.
In a chat with newsmen at the event, Afropop musician and shareholder for betPawa, Mr. Eazi, said the company’s love for the local game and sports development was key to the decision to sponsor the GPL.
“The company’s high appetite for growing and harnessing talents, creating opportunities, and rewarding fans across its markets are a few of the many reasons for partnering with the GFA,” the singer, born Oluwatosin Ajibade, said.
He added, “At betPawa, we believe in support for the local game and sports development. It is in that spirit and I being a Kotoko fan, we decided to come on board. We are looking forward to a prosperous mutual benefit partnership.”
Speaking on the partnership, the president of the GFA, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, outlined some of the initiatives that come with the sponsorship.
“From this money, we shall see the construction of a new pitch at the Ghanaian Soccer Centre of Excellence that will be called the betPawa pitch,” the president said.
“From this deal, we are introducing a scheme called Locker Room Bonuses. Here, all 30 or 40 players and the technical team of each winning team will receive bonuses immediately at the end of every game.
“Furthermore, part of the money would be invested in advertising, marketing, and promotion of the GFA, BetPawa relationship.”
Present at the ceremony was the president of GFA, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku; General Secretary of the GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo; Executive Council Members of the GFA: Dr. Tony Aubynn, Nana Sarfo Oduro, George Amoako, and Samuel Anim Addo.
Also in attendance were the Technical Director of the GFA, Bernhard Lippert; Executives of betPawa including shareholder, Mr. Eazi; and GPL club owners.
The 2022/23 GPL season will kick off on 2 September 2022.
