Sports
N494m boost for NNL as gaming firm partners Tekno
Africa’s leading gaming and entertainment company, betPawa, has announced Afro-pop star Tekno as its brand ambassador, days after committing N494 million to sponsor the Nigeria National League.
The announcement was made at an event in Lagos on Tuesday, marking one of the biggest corporate investments in Nigerian grassroots football this year.
The sponsorship, branded as the Locker Room Bonus, will see 20 players and three technical staff from every winning NNL team receive N56,000 each directly after matches. Each victory will deliver N1,288,000 per club.
With 292 games scheduled, over N369 million will go directly to players and staff this season. Another N100 million will support league operations, while N8.1 million is reserved for end-of-season awards.
Speaking at the unveiling, Borah Ndanyungu, betPawa’s Head of Local Marketing and CSR, said the partnership with Tekno aligns with the company’s strategy to connect sports and entertainment.
“His music inspires millions, just as football inspires millions. This announcement comes at a time when we are also investing heavily in Nigerian football through the Locker Room Bonus,” Ndanyungu said.
Tekno, known for hits including “Pana” and “Skeletun,” said he was drawn to the initiative because of its direct impact on players.
“Football and music unite us. I’m proud to work with a brand that not only entertains but also gives back, rewarding players and energising fans,” the singer said.
Club officials have been trained on the Locker Room Bonus platform, which digitises line-up verification and automates payments, ensuring instant rewards for players.
At the Abuja launch of the NNL sponsorship last week, stakeholders called on the firm to extend similar support to Nigeria’s women’s football league and basketball.
The company already runs similar programmes in Ghana and Uganda, where both men’s and women’s leagues receive equal backing.
The NNL season is scheduled to kick off in November. Industry watchers say the dual investment in sports development and entertainment represents a shift in how gaming companies are positioning themselves in Nigeria’s crowded market.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.
Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.
Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.
Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.
Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.
It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.
Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.
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