TFF acting secretary general Sunday Kayuni
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) yesterday unveiled bids tendered by various local television stations which are seeking rights to broadcast the Mainland’s Vodacom Premier League matches live.
Three television stations were selected for the final bidding process and their names will be discussed by the federation’s executive committee, which will then approve one of them.
TFF acting secretary general Sunday Kayuni said yesterday was the deadline for bidding for the broadcast rights.
He named the stations which have been selected for the final bidding process as Independent Television (ITV), Sahara Communication (Star TV) and Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).
“Five television stations wrote to us requesting for the opportunity shortly after we announced the tender but, until the deadline, only three of them replied,” said Kayuni.
He said the other television stations which showed interest in broadcasting the 12-team soccer league were Super Sport and Al Jazeera, which, however, failed to continue bidding for the rights because of various reasons.
Kayuni said Super Sport wrote to TFF informing the latter of its decision to pull out of the race because of a tight schedule it had this year.
However, the South Africa-based station said it will table fresh bid next year.
Al Jazeera, on their part, had until yesterday yet to respond to TFF.
TFF first vice president Athuman Nyamlani said ITV, Star TV and TBC will be discussed in the federation’s executive committee meeting scheduled for Thursday and will then announce the station that will have exclusive rights to broadcast the matches.
Nyamlani said TFF has already agreed with all participating clubs in the premier league on the matter.
The Mainland Premier League is expected to kick off on August 21.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
