ZPL cash out K10m
…as Betway is unveiled official betting sponsor of the Zambia Premier League
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Zambia Premier League (ZPL) and Betway Zambia have unveiled a K10 million sponsorship deal that confirms the sports betting company as the official sponsor of the league.
The one season renewable deal which compels Betway to invest in the growth of Zambia’s top-flight football league was witnessed by Ministry of Sports Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe, acting Director of Sports Gibson Muyaule, FAZ vice president Justin Mumba and FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga and ZPL Chief Executive Officer Joseph Chimpampwe.
Betway Chief Operations Officer Travis Mulenga said the new partnership signifies the beginning of a new union between FAZ, the ZPL and Betway.
Mulenga said Betway was determined to be part of the development of the Zambian game which has contributed to raising the standards at national team level.
“The partnership is going to be an investment of close to 10 million annually and that’s just the start. As we want as Betway to be part of the development of Zambian football and we want to see more milestones achieved so this partnership will not only go to local football, it will towards insuring that we empower and develop the next phase of football,” Mulenga said.
“We are going to work with FAZ through the Zambia Premier League to ensure that we support not only the men’s Super League but empower everybody across the equal system,” Mulenga said.
The news cheered ZPL chairman Kephas Katongo who welcomed Betway as a new strategic partner.
Katongo said ZPL was proud to partner with the sports betting company which sponsored Nkana and Green Buffaloes.
Katongo said the partnership with Betway will look at the welfare of players and coaches who will be rewarded with player and coach of the month awards.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sports, Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu has applauded Betway and FAZ for their collaboration and for the promising impact it is bound to have on local football.
In a speech read by Chileshe, Nkandu said the partnership is not simply a business transaction but evidence of Betway and FAZ’s commitment to the growth and prosperity of Zambian football.
And FAZ vice president Justin Mumba hailed the ZPL for being proactive in finding sponsors for the league.
Mumba however challenged ZPL to find sponsors by December 2023 for the national division one league, the national women’s Super League and the National women’s league.