By Victor Enyinnaya on May 24, 2023

The spirited efforts by GTI, a depth financial services company's dream to reinvent the Nigerian league looks upbeat presently as the company unveiled a foreign partner yesterday, Propel Sports Africa in a media parley in Lagos.

This is practical, no longer stories on papers. It is now a way forward for the league that we have seen more of all motion, no movement all these years of its existence.  You will not be far from agreeing that the hen is truly heading home to roost. The entry or signing ceremony that took hold today between these parties with Propel Sports Africa grandly marked great take-off and hope rising for our league looking real up. It is a fate.

 That effort is to make Nigeria Football Professional League more attractive as well as change the narratives of running football in the country.  Pixellot, the world leading provider of Al- automated sports video and data solutions and ITV Africa has announced a partnership with Nigeria Premier League,  GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited and Propel Sports Africa aimed at revolutionizing sports coverage in the country.

Speaking during the unveiling of the five year deal worth $5 million in Lagos, Tuesday,  Director of Propel Sports, Basil Kabbani, explained that the  deal will see the company commence the  streaming of NPFL matches  on a dedicated platform which will be known as ' NPFL Live' with effect from 2023/2024 season noting that the project has been enabled by the world's most advanced Al Technology and that the NPFL will be the first African Football League to deploy the technology.

According to him, the Prime systems utilize advanced Al algorithms and automated cameras to deliver an immersive viewing experience in broadcast quality positing that the system captures every moment of the game, ensuring that no action is missed. In addition to the expanded game coverage, GTI and Propel Sports will also provide the NPFL with an over-The-Top platform "NPFL Live'".  With this dedicated App allowing fans  to enjoy live matches and exclusive content anytime and anywhere while the OTT solution will be customized to reflect the NPFL branding and provide a seamless user experience, for football enthusiasts here in Nigeria and throughout the world.

He however appealed to Nigerians to help the partnership work as it will benefit both footballers, club sides, players and fans.  " Nigeria is a country with more than 200 million people and many of the populace are passionate about football. We have traveled to some cities in Nigeria and are hopeful that the partnership will work as it will benefit many and we appeal to Nigerians to support it to work", he stressed.

In his remarks Group Managing Director of GTI Assets Management and Trust Limited, Abubakar Lawal expressed happiness that the company's partnership with the LMC is yielding the desired result even as he promised that his company is out to help Nigerian football grow and compete favourably with other leagues in the world.

Executive Director of GTI, Nelson Ine described the deal as the game changer which will herald the transformation of the Nigerian Football economy which the public and the respective stakeholders have been waiting for; saying that with this innovative approach, the NPFL will elevate its coverage to new heights and get national and international exposure to the local talents playing in the league.

Also speaking, Chairman of LMC, Gbenga Elegbeleye expressed hope that the deal will usher new beginning in Nigerian football just as he commended GTI for what it is doing to change the face of professional football in the country.  He stated that his dream is to see the lowest paid player in the Nigerian League going home with at least N1 million which he hope will make the league attractive to players from other African countries.

On how they have been able to achieve some successes since coming on board, he announced that with the financial backing from GTI, referees are now paid their allowances a day before the match and that clubs no longer take care of referees accommodation and transportation which has brought some sanity in the League.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted May 24, 2023

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