NPFL, FRCN sign agreement to broadcast matches

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

NPFL and FRCN have signed an MoU to promote Nigerian football. The deal will broadcast Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches on national radio.

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and NPFL signed the agreement in Abuja.

Stakeholders believe this will improve coverage of domestic football. FRCN will provide live match commentary and analysis. They will also conduct exclusive interviews. These interviews will include players, coaches, and league officials.

NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye hailed the partnership. He called it a landmark moment for Nigerian league football. The collaboration should boost the league’s popularity. It aims to attract sponsorships and increase fan engagement. This will ultimately help professional football in Nigeria grow.

Elegbeleye noted radio’s wide reach in Nigeria. He said working with FRCN will reach millions of fans. Many fans in rural areas rely on radio for sports updates.

“TV requires you to be home,” Elegbeleye stated. “With radio, you can listen anywhere.” He mentioned farms, offices, and roads as examples. Radio will allow fans to follow live updates across the country.

He emphasised the need for the FRCN relationship. It will ensure the entire nation listens to athletes on match days. This will promote the league and boost Nigeria’s football industry.

Elegbeleye recalled radio’s past role in familiarising fans with players. Live commentary helped fans know local players and clubs. Without commentary, fans cannot easily recognise footballers. Frequent name mentions make players well-known.

“This is vital for marketing our players and clubs,” he added. “The league is a national asset.” He praised the recent progress made, stating the league is rated higher, with more local players in the national team.

FRCN Director-General Mohammed Bulama affirmed his organisation’s commitment. They aim to revive football enthusiasm in Nigeria.

Bulama said sports unify and develop Nigeria. He noted Radio Nigeria’s historic role in sports. Iconic commentators have brought joy to Nigerians. They have immortalised sporting icons and promoted Nigerian sports globally.

Bulama remembered how radio commentaries from the 1960s to 1980s boosted stadium attendance and newspaper sales. Some fans even brought radios to the stadium.

“Nigerians muted their TVs to listen to radio commentary,” Bulama explained. Radio Nigeria dominated sports commentary then. This drove national football enthusiasm to new heights.

Bulama lamented the decline in radio football commentary. This contributed to local football’s drop in popularity. Many fans shifted to foreign leagues like the English Premier League.

“The NPFL and FRCN are partnering to reverse this decline,” he concluded. They aim to bring back radio football commentary and boost Nigerian football.