SportPesa Premier League is finally back on the screen for free.
New partners are being sought to have domestic top flight action streamed on mobile phones.
This was announced by Radio Africa Group (RAG) CEO, Patrick Quarcoo on Tuesday during the launch of Bamba Sport as the exclusive right holders for SPL games for the remainder of the 2017 season.
According to the package, Bamba, Kiss TV and Radio Jambo FM, a property of RAG, will broadcast a minimum of two top flight games starting next weekend featuring a double header and devoting a day to the second-tier National Super League.
The deal will cost RAG KSh100.7 with Ksh36.7 going to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), KSh24m allocated for production costs and another KSh40m going towards marketing and promotion across the broadcasters’ networks.
“We did not anticipate the number of people coming to the NSL. This is good for our sport, given us the confidence to invest in the SPL.
“We take yet another step to grow Kenyan sport. SPL represents the cream of Kenyan soccer and for the first time, we are making it free to Kenyans. We are even hoping to bring it to your mobile phones with support of our partners,” Quarcoo added.
KPL Chairman, Ambrose Rachier hailed the new broadcast deal as “a new chapter in the histpry of the SPL” in expressing relief their product was back on air for the first time since April when South African Pay TV channel, SuperSport pulled the plug.
“Following the exit of our previous pay TV partner, we are pleased to have a local broadcast partner that has stepped in within short notice to ensure the league will continue to air in Kenyan households and football fans can watch their favourite teams.
“Going by the reputation of Bamba, partnering with SPL will provide the players the platform to raise their profiles and showcase their talent to millions of Kenyan households,” Rachier who is also the chairman of SPL giants Gor Mahia FC declared.
League title sponsor, SportPesa CEO, Ronald Karauri outlined the new agreement was what the sport needed to become a staple for the nation.
Power of Sports
“We wanted as many Kenyans as possible to watch our local players and its our goal at SportPesa to promote and love our talent. Our players do not get the right exposure and funding but its all coming together now.
“All Kenyan households will watch SPL games and we are happy about that because we tried everything at SportPesa to squeeze the little content we got from the previous broadcaster on our screens so that people can get a taste of SPL action,” the CEO stressed.
“We have limitations in terms of facilities but it is my hope that the leadership of this country will realise the power of sports,” Karauri urged.
“FKF is very excited that Kenyans now have an opportunity for the very first time to watch top flight football for free and this will provide an opportunity to showcase Kenyan talent to millions of fans around the country,” FKF President Nick Mwendwa declared through his CEO, Robert Muthomi.