3MILLION FOR YOUR NATION'S CUP FIX?
Iam painfully nescient of things relating to sports. So I have called on a guest blogger to share a nugget or two about The Nations Cup. I am now secure in the Nigerian-ness of this blog. Please enjoy the first entry of this year written by .
My mother is one of many Nigerians that is desperately frustrated about the possibility of missing the upcoming African Nations Cup. Unless there is an act of God, .
The company that owns the broadcasting rights to the Africa Cup Nations, TV5 Monde, is seeking 3m Euros. The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria () has offered 1.25m Euros and both entities are now playing a with Nigerian viewers being caught in the middle. As such, with less than 4 days till the tournament's start date, Nigerians do not know whether they will watch the event.
I am in complete support of the BON's decision to not pay the requested amount. After all, the organization has a budget that it must adhere to and if spending 3m euros will create a budget problem, then it must not be done. Besides there is very little need for Nigeria to budge on this matter. Over 30% of Africa's football watchers reside in Nigeria, so if the company that owns the rights does not understand that it will be losing advertising revenue and other monies by isolating its biggest audience, then their decision makers should be fired. Did I forget to mention that Nigeria is ranked of all African teams by FIFA, again? (Take that Ghana, I saw how you Ghanaians attacked Nigerians (and blogger, Nelson Abbey) mercilessly last year when your team Nigeria in February. Okay, calm down, I'm just messing with you guys. Keep the hate mail to a controlled minimum!) Basically, it is evident that TV5 Monde is trying to hold Nigerians hostage and deprive the people of the one thing that a country full of football fanatics need - their football fix! Yes, TV5 Monde needs to make a profit, after all, business is business. But, it has up the prices exorbitantly making it cost prohibitive for Nigeria and to watch their own football tournament! Nigeria has to take a stand, not just for itself but for other smaller African countries with less bargaining power.
And, why does a French company own the broadcasting rights to Africa's premier football competition? Well, BON's heads are now pounding their chests claiming that NIGCOMSAT is in a position, collaborating with BON and other broadcasters, to provide the tournament to the Nigeria and others on the continent, in hopes of a future piece of the broadcasting pie.
All this writer can say is that my mother is itching for football! She wants it, she needs it, and come Sunday, January20th, she had better have it. So, TV5 Monde, wise up, play nice and give Nigerians their Nation's Cup coverage!
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