Historic sponsorship signals turning point for TZ basketball

DAR ES SALAAM: IN a significant development for Tanzanian basketball, the Dar es Salaam Basketball Association (DB) has secured a landmark sponsorship deal for the 2025 Basketball Dar es Salaam League (BDL).

The deal, valued at 639.46m/-, comes from regional betting powerhouse – betPawa and represents the first major commercial partnership in the league’s history.

Signed just days before the tip-off of the new season, which features 32 teams — 16 men’s and 16 women’sthe agreement is seen as a transformative moment for basketball in the country.

The signing ceremony, held at Don Bosco Hall in Upanga, was attended by key stakeholders from both betPawa and DB, signalling a high-level commitment to the sport’s future. At the heart of the partnership is a novel incentive, the ‘Locker Room Bonus’.

Under this programme each player and official from the winning teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions receive 88,750/- directly into their mobile money accounts.

The league that started over the weekend already saw winning teams start benefiting from the sponsorship for the first time in history.

This initiative stands out not just for its innovation, but for its direct focus on athletes’ welfare, a rare feature in many local sports sponsorships.

Raquel Puig, Head of Sports Development and CSR at betPawa, emphasised the company’s intent to foster sustainable sports development in Tanzania and across East Africa.

“Basketball is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting sports globally. We believe this partnership will empower athletes and drive the game forward in Tanzania,” Puig noted.

This marks betPawa’s second foray into Tanzanian basketball, having previously supported initiatives in other East African countries.

The Locker Room Bonus is expected to ease financial pressures on players, many of whom have long played the sport without compensation.

For too long, sports in Tanzania, basketball included, have remained largely amateur, with limited structures to support athletes financially or professionally.

According to Mpoki Mwakipake, Secretary General of the DB, this sponsorship is more than just financial support, it is a foundational step toward semi-professionalism and eventually full professionalism in the sport.

“This deal is a blessing. Players will now have more than pride to play for,” Mwakipake said.

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“We expect to see better performances and a thrilling season.” Borah Ndanyungu, betPawa’s East Africa Marketing Manager, echoed that sentiment, saying the partnership addresses one of the most critical pain points in local sports: the lack of athlete remuneration.

“Many players give their all on the court, but walk away with little to show for it. This partnership changes that narrative,” she stated.

Tanzania lags behind regional counterparts like Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi in basketball development, a reality often linked to the financial struggles and lack of professional frameworks that hinder player growth.

In contrast, these neighbouring nations have made substantial investments in their sports sectors, resulting in more competitive leagues and better international representation.

This deal signals an opportunity to close that gap. In recent years, Tanzanian teams have begun recruiting talent from outside the country to enhance competitiveness.

But observers say more needs to be done at the grassroots and institutional levels to upgrade local teams and fully harness the country’s athletic potential.

With the Locker Room Bonus acting as both a motivator and support system, stakeholders are optimistic that this year’s league will reveal new talent and elevate the quality of competition.

There is also hope that Tanzanian clubs will be able to push further into international tournaments, benefiting from the financial and morale boost provided by the sponsorship.

The betPawa sponsorship of the BDL is more than a commercial transaction, it is a statement of intent.

It represents a new era for basketball in Tanzania, one where talent is not only recognised but also rewarded.

As fans gear up for what promises to be an electrifying season, the hope is that this partnership will become a blueprint for how sports sponsorships can be both impactful and inclusive.