Online sports betting company, BetPawa, says it has renewed its contract with local basketball governing body (FERWABA) in a deal that makes the latter the official partner of the much-awaited Rwanda Basketball League 2024 playoffs.

The development, BetPawa said, reaffirms its commitment to elevating the country’s basketball by confirming its sponsorship of the 2024 Rwanda Basketball League season.

"We are thrilled to announce the upcoming betPawa Playoffs for the RBL24 season, a pivotal event that will showcase the incredible talent and competitive spirit of Rwandan basketball,” said Ferwaba President Desire Mugwiza.

The betPawa Playoffs are not just about crowning a champion, they also represent the culmination of months of hard work, dedication and the relentless pursuit of excellence, by our players, coaches and teams,” he added.

According to BetPawa, the partnership is designed in a way to deliver several benefits to the players, who are the main drivers of the game.

It is expected to cover Division 1 National Basketball League, making the betting brand the official basketball partner for Division 1men and women’s league, the playoffs which cover four men and women’s teams, All Star Basketball events and Car Free Day 3x3 games.

"Our players are the heart of the game and that is why, as a brand, our focus on this partnership is player rewards such as the Locker Room Bonus, where players from the winning teams will be celebrated with Rwf 65,000 immediately after every match,” said betPawa Chief Commercial Officer Ntoudi Mouyelo.

The Locker Room Bonus is a one-of-a-kind initiative by betPawa where players are paid a winning bonus, provided they make the match day squad list.

The money is sent directly to their mobile money wallets right away after winning a match and before the players leave the arena.

Mouyelo announced that betPawa has this year expanded the Locker Room Bonus to also cover the technical staff of the eight teams in the playoffs. They include the head coach, first assistant coach, and second assistant coach or team manager.

Again, under the partnership, betPawa will give Rwf 3,000,000 to each team that qualified for the playoffs. A cash prize of Rwf 2,000,000 will also be awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in both the men and women’s betPawa Playoffs.

"We invite all basketball fans to join us in celebrating the passion and excitement of the RBL24 betPawa Playoffs. Together we are driving the future of Rwandan basketball to new heights,” Mugwiza further said.