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Going for posts, Unstoppable inclusion with Rugby Africa

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4 years ago

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Fatma’s journey in rugby began with coincidence, much like many of the greats in the game, Rugby has been a quest of growing one’s confidence. Back in 2015, without any prior experience in playing rugby, Fatma had only attended rugby games as a spectator, most of which were only played by men. After a life changing suggestion for a new hobby from a friend, she made it out to the rugby field behind her office and there her story began, with the support of other female players. When she picked up the oval ball for the first time, she knew that she had found what she had been searching for.

Despite champions of Rugby in Botswana like Fatma campaigning for its broad-based promotion, Rugby and more importantly as a sport for women, has largely remained a sport which exhibits great potential for growth. Fatma exclaims that in Botswana, Rugby for women is hardly discussed. On the other hand, this has not left her, and other Unstoppables demotivated, in fact the value of their work is the single greatest force behind the grassroots development of the game. Her work has been applauded by World Rugby and Rugby Africa, amongst many other organisations and institutions seeking to promote women empowerment. Through the work of Fatma and others, future sports women will join or learn from the sport.

In her own career as a player, Fatma has seen a marked improvement in the participation of more teams in the women’s league. With the number of players increasing over the years, she anticipates that there will be more athletes from school rugby, advancing to league rugby. Further to this she believes that there will also be more women as coaches and referees in the near future- unstoppable.

As part of her outreach efforts, Fatma launched the “A Try for Change”, which is a grassroots initiative to empower girls through the sport. She and others seek to conscientize young women and girls to grow their self-confidence, as a means of unlocking their true potential in society. Rugby is used as a medium of instruction, but the goal of her work is to empower attendees to become agents of change in their respective communities- on or off the field of play. The programme is targeted at primary school leavers and includes modules on introspective exercises, recreational activities with learning objectives, mentorships, as well as preparatory programs in enterprise development.

Coming from a conservative background which does not prioritise the involvement of women in sports, Fatma has vigorously worked to change perceptions of elders and community leaders, to work with their support. She has opened way for reports and researched findings, to find their way into the hands of key decision makers. Overall, the programme has received a positive reception from participants, teachers and the Botswana Rugby Union, and plans are already afoot to run ‘A Try for Change’ again in the new year.

Based on the feedback she has received working with young girls, Fatma used the global “Try & Stop Us” campaign to address the issue of Gender Based Violence affecting women and children inher community. As an Unstoppable leader, she is breaking the silence of abuse in communities by raising awareness around civil liberties and justice. She deeply empathises with young girls who are not taught about building their confidence in school, as the priority is generally put on teaching the standard course curriculum. Sessions with Fatma and her team have become safe and supportive structures for personal development in the schools and communities they serve.

Fatma believes that instilling self-confidence in young women sets them up for life, not only for them to be leaders in the future, but more importantly now, for them to be able to tackle head on collisions with Gender Based Violence and many other scourges of society.

President of the Women’s Rugby Advisory Committee at Rugby Africa, Ms Paula Lancoemphasised that, “the WRAC and creation of its sub-committees will ultimately help increase awareness of women in rugby, attracting more tournaments and partnerships with sponsors, increasing the overall popularity of the game in the continent.”

According to Maha Zaoui, Women’s Manager Rugby Africa, “With the impact COVID-19 has placed globally, we are able to work with the sub-committees to overcome challenges the pandemic has placed on world sports and identifying untapped opportunities,”.

For Fatma, Rugby has been life changing not just for her career as a person, but more importantly it has empowered her as an individual to transform the lives of many. Her personal journey has become a reference point for others, who share in her passion and struggle for inclusion in different parts of their lives. Her outreach work has won many over and today has set the foundation for unstoppable future female leaders in Botswana and Africa at large, who have been transformed through the philosophy of the game.

Source: Rugby Africa.

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Jelly Entertainment Enters into Partnership with betPawa

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3 hours ago

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June 16, 2025

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Jelly Entertainment has taken a major step into the African market through a new partnership with leading operator betPawa.

Jelly is a recognised creator of highly entertaining digital content for betting and gaming companies. Its portfolio of over 25 games – including CleoPatrick, Midas Riches and Witches Go Wild – is delivered to more than 100 operator brands worldwide.

This partnership marks Jelly’s entry into Africa, where it will deliver bespoke crash, instant win and slot content designed for mobile-first, portrait-only play in low-bandwidth environments. In addition, Jelly and betPawa will co-develop locally adapted games for players in the region.

betPawa, one of Africa’s leading online sports betting brands, serves over 10 million users across 17 markets, including Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia.

The integration is powered by Jelly’s RGS platform, enabling partnerships across all global regulated markets where betPawa operates.

This partnership is part of Jelly’s broader global expansion strategy, strengthening its presence in Africa and supporting its continued international growth.

David Newstead, Chief Business Development Officer at Jelly, said: “Joining forces with betPawa is a significant strategic move for us. betPawa’s presence across Africa will help us reach more players than ever before. It’s a partnership that secures us a stronger foothold in an important territory and aligns perfectly with our expansion goals in emerging regulated markets.”

The post Jelly Entertainment Enters into Partnership with betPawa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Uganda: National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and Uganda Police- Rwizi Region Deepen Ties in Enforcing the Gaming Law

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4 days ago

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June 12, 2025

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The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) recently held a high-level stakeholder engagement with the Uganda Police Force Officials in Rwizi Region. The engagement, hosted at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara on May 27, 2025, brought together District Police Commanders (DPCs), Officers in Charge of Criminal Investigations (OCIDs), local leaders, the media and other technical stakeholders from across the region.

The engagement focused on aligning enforcement strategies, enhancing compliance and deepening the understanding of Uganda’s gaming laws under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 334. In his opening remarks, NLGRB CEO Mr. Denis Mudene emphasized the strategic collaboration between the Board and the Uganda Police Force in enforcing gaming law to protect citizens, end underage gaming and maintain public order.

“Gaming is not a money-making venture. It is a leisure activity or entertainment, and we encourage only those of legal age to participate responsibly,” Mr. Mudene said.

Mr. Mudene raised concerns over the growing trend of children using parents’ phones to gamble online. He warned parents against registering SIM cards under their names and passing them on to minors, as this facilitates undetected underage gambling.

“93% of gambling happens online, mostly by corporates. However, when a phone registered in a parent’s name is used by a 15-year-old, they pass all verification checks,” he explained, urging responsible digital parenting.

In response, the Mbarara City Mayor, Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, commended the Board’s efforts in bringing regulatory oversight closer to communities. He raised alarm over the prevalence of unlicensed betting operations and children misusing school fees or resorting to theft to fund gambling.

“As you enforce the law against illegal operators as well as those with minors in their betting shops, remind them of what the law says and apprehend them. This sets an example to those who think they can break the law and get away with it.”

The Deputy Regional Police Commander Rwizi Region, Senior Superintendent of Police Bosco Bakashaba, reaffirmed the Uganda Police Force’s commitment to upholding the law in partnership with the NLGRB.

“We shall offer total support to reduce offenses and illegal operations. Gaming houses that admit underage individuals or operate without licenses, especially in villages, will face legal consequences,” SSP Bakashaba asserted.

He pointed out that crime intelligence and informants are key tools in detecting and shutting down illegal slot machines and unauthorised betting centres.

“Gaming is like a razorblade, used correctly, it’s useful. Used wrongly, it causes harm,” he concluded.

The post Uganda: National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and Uganda Police- Rwizi Region Deepen Ties in Enforcing the Gaming Law appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Accelerating Ambitions in Africa: SYNOT Games Teams Up with Codium

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5 days ago

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June 11, 2025

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In a move designed to strengthen their African presence and enhance customer experience, SYNOT Games has announced a strategic cooperation with Codium, an innovative software solutions provider and aggregator in the iGaming industry. 

The partnership, currently active in jurisdictions including Liberia and Nigeria, empowers SYNOT Games to distribute its extensive portfolio of gaming content effortlessly through Codium’s aggregation platform. By utilizing Codium’s advanced technological infrastructure, SYNOT Games is well-positioned to reach a wider African audience, thereby enhancing both efficiency and the quality of customer support.

“Partnering with Codium marks a pivotal step in our strategy to grow within regulated African markets,” said Kristína Ďaďová, Sales Manager at SYNOT Games.

“Codium’s aggregation capabilities and in-depth understanding of the African regulatory landscape allow us to broaden access to our games while maintaining high standards of quality and compliance. This collaboration underscores our commitment to excellence and our ambition to deliver cutting-edge entertainment across diverse regulated markets,” she adds.

Codium specializes in comprehensive iGaming solutions, providing certified platforms that encompass various sports betting and online casino offerings. Their Blue Platform, known for its adaptability and scalability, has been instrumental in enabling SYNOT Games to fit in emerging and established regulated African markets.

Matej Mikunda, Sales Director at Codium, also welcomed the partnership, stating:  “Our collaboration with SYNOT Games demonstrates a shared ambition to raise the bar for iGaming across Africa. By merging our technological expertise with SYNOT’s engaging content, we’re empowering local operators and enhancing the gaming experience for players throughout the region.”

This alliance strengthens SYNOT Games’ foothold in key regulated African jurisdictions and highlights both companies‘ dedication to quality, innovation, and responsible gaming. With increasing demand for premium content and evolving regulatory frameworks across the continent, SYNOT Games and Codium are well-positioned to shape the future of African iGaming standards.

The post Accelerating Ambitions in Africa: SYNOT Games Teams Up with Codium appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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