NPFL: League partnership set to bring AI cameras to Nigerian stadium

The NPFL, in conjunction with Propel Sports Africa, have introduced a new method of production and broadcasting of games in the new season.

The Nigerian Professional Football League, with its new season set to kick off on the 26th of August, 2023 have had a change in the way they will broadcast games live, Soccernet.ng reports.

The NPFL executives struck a five million dollar contract deal with Propel Sports Africa in May 2023, and the deal means clubs will no longer broadcast their own games live through their channels, but eight out of ten games every weekend will be covered and broadcasted live by Propel Sports, in conjunction with NPFL Live, via their own app and website, available for mobile, and computer users. Propel Sports CEO, Mr Basil Kabbani, mentioned the app will be available for Android and iOS mobile phones and is scheduled to be released on the 16th of August, 2023.

Mr. Basil mentioned that AI cameras will be installed at several stadiums that will be used to play NPFL games, across ten states, adding that the cameras are portable and can be moved from one stadium to another. Ten Stadiums were slated for initial production, and more cameras will be added, across several stadiums, as time goes on, depending on how the initial production starts. Additionally, the training of forty technicians have started. These technicians will handle the production and broadcasting of the games.

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For the subscription fee, Mr Kabbani mentioned that there are plans in place for the fee to be between the range of ₦140 and ₦200, the average price of watching a game in a Nigerian viewing centre, and mentioned one of the main goals is to make sure the calendar of the games doesn't conflict with the EPL calendar, as the majority of Nigerians also watch European football through the weekend.

Speaking to Soccernet.ng, Mr Kabbani said;

“We don't want the games to conflict with the EPL. So Thursday evening, Friday evening, Saturday morning, and God-willing, Sunday morning. We're working with the NPFL as well to make the schedule suitable for the fans.”

He also spoke on the pricing;

“There'll be an option for pay-per-view. You could get a game pass, a weekend pass, a monthly pass, a season-long pass, just depending on whatever the people want.”

In a follow-up interview on a Twitter space, hosted by Mitchell Obi, Mr Basil pleaded with Nigerians to be patient in the execution of the process as they're determined to bring the best to the fans, reminiscing on his experience in Malawi, he said;

“We helped in the production of a tournament in Malawi sometime ago, and their government officials wouldn't let me leave because the production and broadcasting were top-notch. I am pleading with Nigerians to please give us time, if you notice an error, please it is not intentional. The deal was only struck in May, and between that time, we've had to quickly build the app, negotiate with a Telco, import and install the cameras. We're bringing the best.”

With this development, the NPFL will be viewed by more fans, and Nigerians on social media are already raving to see the development this brings to the league. The NPFL kicks off officially on the 26th of August, 2023.