BetPawa bets big on Women’s football with groundbreaking FAM deal

Football Association of Malawi and BetPawa Malawi have signed a MK389 Million for Women’s Regional Football League

In a landmark move for women’s football in Malawi, BetPawa Malawi has teamed up with the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to sponsor the country’s Women’s Regional Football League with a substantial MK389 million package.

The sponsorship deal was officially unveiled on Friday at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, marking a historic milestone for women’s sports development in the country. The partnership promises not just funding, but a new era of recognition, professionalism, and opportunity for Malawi’s female footballers.

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Nii Armah Ashong-Katai, BetPawa’s Regional Manager for Southern and West Africa, said the company is committed to growing sports across Africa, and Malawi’s emerging women’s football scene presented the perfect platform.

“We aim to raise the bar in women’s football,” he said. “This is more than just a ceremony—it’s a pledge to support young girls and empower them through sport. When we heard Malawi was launching its first Women’s National League, we saw it as the right moment to partner with FAM. Seeing players happy when they earn something from the game they love is truly fulfilling.”

Douglas Kamwendo, Country Director of Kuwina Limited, echoed the sentiment, calling women’s football Malawi’s most promising sporting discipline.

“Malawi has produced top female players competing abroad. This sponsorship aims to push more talent to greater heights,” said Kamwendo. “The funds will go directly to athletes, creating healthy competition and ultimately strengthening our national women’s team—the Scorchers.”

Rachel Puchi, Head of CSR and Sports Development at BetPawa, said the company intentionally chose to focus on women’s football, noting it often receives less attention compared to the men’s game.

“Malawi is the right place to start. Women’s football is gaining momentum here and is clearly worth investing in,” she said.

Chairperson of the Women’s National Football Association, Adelaide Migogo, described the sponsorship as a game-changer, especially for young girls in the sport.

“I’m grateful to BetPawa for stepping in and recognizing the potential of our female athletes. Special thanks to FAM President Mr. Fleetwood Haiya for embracing this partnership,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of President Haiya, FAM Vice President Madalitso Kuyera described the deal as a major step toward transforming the football landscape.

“This sponsorship is more than funding—it’s motivation,” Kuyera said. “It shows our players and coaches that the world is watching. We are deeply grateful to BetPawa for this bold commitment to women’s football.”

He added that Malawi has no shortage of talent, citing the rise of players like Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga as evidence of the country’s growing reputation.

“With this kind of support, we can nurture more talent and compete with regional powerhouses like South Africa. This investment will not only strengthen teams but also inspire the next generation of stars,” he said.

Kuyera assured teams of FAM’s continued efforts to secure additional sponsors and called on regional administrators to run the league professionally to uphold its integrity and protect the image of both FAM and BetPawa.

“We will ensure BetPawa gets value from this investment. Their decision to support women’s football, especially during difficult economic times, is a remarkable show of passion,” he added.

The MK389 million sponsorship will run for one year, with the possibility of extension. Of that amount, MK90 million is earmarked for club subventions, MK8.7 million for end-of-season awards, and MK17.5 million for league administration.

A significant portion—MK273.24 million—will be disbursed directly to players and technical staff through match-day bonuses. Under the “Locker Room Bonus” initiative, the winning team in each of the 270 matches will receive MK1,012,000, with 23 players and three technical staff members earning MK44,000 each per match.