Team players who register victories in eligible matches in the Cameroon FECAFOOT Women’s League, dubbed the Guinness Super League, will soon each receive direct financial rewards of 25,000 FCFA ($132,000) into their mobile-money accounts. The move follows a “Locker Room Bonus” convention signed between the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and betting company betPawa in Yaounde.
In the presence of Samuel Eto’o, President of FECAFOOT, and Thomas Nsongka, Director General of betPawa Cameroon, Borah Omary Ndanyungu signed on behalf of her company. Celine Eko, President of the Women’s Football League, signed for the federation. Omary Ndanyungu is the head of local marketing and corporate social responsibility for Africa at betPawa.
Under the agreement, betPawa will launch a 75.9 million FCFA “Locker Room Bonus,” where players on winning teams in eligible matches will receive 25,000 FCFA ($132,000) each directly into their mobile money accounts. The initiative forms part of the company’s broader commitment to player welfare and sports development across Africa.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Omary Ndanyungu said betPawa believes that real sports development begins with players. She explained that the company created the initiative to put money directly into athletes’ pockets through their mobile money accounts whenever they win on the pitch.
She also noted that although the programme is being launched now, it will involve games that have already been played as well as those coming ahead, describing it as recognition, motivation, and tangible support for the league. Omary Ndanyungu added that the initiative is not short-term, stressing that it is intended to continue supporting the women’s leagues for years to come.
To the women’s league, the sponsorship goes beyond financial rewards and reflects betPawa’s commitment to the professionalism of women’s football in Cameroon, the welfare and financial empowerment of female athletes, and the long-term growth and sustainability of FECAFOOT’s women’s league.
Through Céline Eko Mendomo, the league expressed gratitude to betPawa for strengthening performance and motivation in the competition. Eto’o, the former Cameroon and Barcelona star, praised betPawa, stating that the agreement goes beyond football. He emphasized that society sometimes exposes young players to vulnerability and said the responsibility of the football family is to protect them and safeguard their ability to play.
Nsongka, betPawa’s Director General, thanked FECAFOOT for accepting the initiative, noting that many federations do not support the idea of paying players directly into their accounts. He described the sponsorship as a small starting token, expressing hope that as the partnership grows, the company will increase its support in future years.
Alongside the women’s professional football league, betPawa is also supporting Cameroon’s men’s and women’s basketball leagues through its partnership with FECABASKET, which has lasted for two seasons. The “Locker Room Bonus” initiative is already active in 10 African countries, including Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya.
