Sports

Elegbeleye insists Startimes was only Broadcast offer for NPFL

Published

10 months ago

May 30, 2024

Joel Ajayi

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has reiterated that the broadcast rights deal signed with Startimes was not just the only offer it received at the time but the best negotiated partnership that came after over six years of the league not shown on television.

Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye made this submission in response to a publication that suggested that the NPFL snubbed an offer of $11million proposed by a shadowy character.

“When the Interim Management Committee (IMC) which I headed came on board, there was not a single sponsorship for the league but we later got an investment partner in GTI that guaranteed N1billion for the season”, Elegbeleye stated.
He recalled that amongst several other terms of reference, the IMC was mandated to secure television broadcast for the league.

“It is on record that the last effective broadcast partnership the NPFL had was with Supersport and it was terminated in 2016. Thereafter the league went on without proper broadcast partner until we signed Propel Sports Africa for streaming and shortly after, Startimes for Direct to Home Satellite broadcast.

“These deals were not signed overnight but took painstaking negotiations that lasted for months because we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do”, explained Elegbeleye.

He said that the NPFL had at the outset insisted that it was open to offers and actually knocked on the doors of several corporate organisations pitching sponsorship of the league.

“We spent time and personal resources travelling to court Corporate Nigeria to sponsor the league with our investment partners, GTI and we invested in efforts to rebrand the league. A consultant was hired for venue branding which offers in-stadium exposure to our potential sponsors and a website was also built for viral exposure. So, where was this phantom $11m dollar briefcase offer all the time”, queried the NPFL Chairman.

He added that the IMC wooed Supersport with a view to bringing the South African broadcast outfit back to the NPFL.
“We couldn’t have rejected any offer when we were practically seeking to entice Supersport back to the extent that we succeeded in bringing them to broadcast the 2022/23 Super 6 Playoff”, continued Elegbeleye.

He urged the public to be wary of parasitic characters that thrive on controversy to stay relevant.

“The NPFL is still very much open to listen to offers of partnership in other areas from well meaning and credible Sports Marketing companies”, Elegbeleye said.

GTI, as the League Investment Partner guarantees to provide funding of N10billion over ten years which ensures fund for the cost of organising the league including match officials payment and winning prize money.

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Sports

Enugu State Set to Host First-Ever International Marathon

Published

3 hours ago

March 14, 2025

The Gleamer

Enugu State is set to make history as it prepares to host its first-ever international marathon on May 3, 2025.

The Enugu City Marathon, a World Athletics-certified event, will bring together elite athletes and running enthusiasts from across the globe to compete in a race that promises to be both thrilling and unforgettable.

The marathon, which aims to showcase the rich culture and resilience of the Coal City, will take runners through a carefully mapped-out course, highlighting the beauty and landscape of Enugu. The event is expected to attract top-tier athletes, amateur runners, and fitness enthusiasts eager to test their endurance on an international stage.

Registration for the marathon is now open. Interested participants can register online at www.enugucitymarathon.com or pick up registration forms at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Secretariat.

With Enugu State positioning itself as a hub for sports and tourism, the Enugu City Marathon is expected to put the city on the global athletics map while promoting fitness and community spirit.

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