August 27, (THEWILL) – In a bold stride toward revolutionising sports broadcasting, the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has embarked on an innovative journey to elevate the status of the domestic League within the continent and beyond. For this, the League is collaborating with GTI Asset Management and Propel Sports Africa—a Manchester-based company specialising in sports streaming and broadcasting solutions. This visionary partnership, fueled by a N5 million deal, promises to reshape the way football enthusiasts experience the NPL, introducing a revolutionary live viewing experience powered by state-of-the-art AI cameras.
The marriage between Propel Sports Africa and the NPL is emblematic of a new era in sports entertainment, signifying a departure from conventional broadcasting methods and embracing cutting-edge technology. At the heart of this transformation are AI cameras that have been strategically installed across stadiums nationwide, poised to deliver an immersive and dynamic viewing experience to fans across the globe. This transition is made possible by the emergence of affordable, high-production cameras, equipped with the power of artificial intelligence, enabling automatic tracking of players, the ball, and other key elements on the field.
The portability of these AI cameras is a testament to their versatility. Swiftly manoeuvred from one location to another, they present a flexible solution to capturing the action from different locations. Moreover, Propel Sports Africa’s dedication to comprehensive training has been at the heart of equipping a team of 40 skilled technicians to manage the complex intricacies of camera content production and broadcasting, ensuring the smoothest possible viewing experience for fans.
Central to this transformative shift is the NPL Live platform—an app and website jointly developed by Propel Sports Africa and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Previously set to launch on August 16, but now pushed back due to technical delays, this platform will facilitate live streaming of eight out of 10 weekend matches directly to fans’ mobile devices and laptops, regardless of their geographical location. This technological marvel redefines fan engagement, cementing the bond between supporters and their cherished teams.
The capabilities of these AI cameras extend far beyond traditional match coverage. With the ability to capture multiple angles, dynamically zoom in and out, and provide instant replays and highlights, they promise to plunge viewers into the thick of the action. Additionally, the AI cameras will serve as invaluable tools for generating data and statistics on team and player performance, deepening fans’ understanding of the game.
Currently, 10 select stadiums have been earmarked for the initial integration of AI cameras, each playing a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative of technological advancement. These venues and their current sitting capacities include Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina (35,000), Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium, Uyo (30,000), Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin (18,000), Enyimba Int’l Stadium, Aba (16,000) and the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano (16,000). Others are the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos (15,000), Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City (12,000), Pantami Stadium, Gombe (12,000), Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan (10,000), Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos (5,000). This strategic selection ensures that fans across Nigeria will benefit from the enhanced coverage, with plans to expand the AI camera network as the initiative gathers momentum.
The promise of an expanded match portfolio available for streaming further bolsters the appeal of AI cameras. With the live streaming of at least eight NPL games per week, fans are afforded an abundance of options, ensuring they do not miss any electrifying moments. Moreover, the AI-powered analysis provides real-time insights that enrich fans’ understanding of gameplay dynamics.
Propel Sports Africa’s collaboration with the NPL represents a marked departure from the previous status quo. Prior to this groundbreaking deal, after individual clubs were tasked with their own live broadcasts, often resulting in suboptimal quality and limited coverage, Supersport broadcast some of the matches from the abridged 2022/2023 season. The advent of AI cameras marks a paradigm shift, promising an unparalleled standard of excellence in match coverage.
In anticipating the forthcoming season, the Nigeria Football Federation has proactively partnered with Propel Sports Africa and other stakeholders, setting the stage for a seamless execution. A technical committee, led by former Super Eagles star Daniel Amokachi, has been established to curate the NPL Team of the Month, an initiative designed to elevate the aspirational value of players and coaches. The selected team will have 11 players, a coach and reserves totalling an 18-man squad. Other committee members include journalists Mitchel Obi, Segun Agbede and Deji Omotoyinbo. NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen, coaches Manu Garba and Godwin Uwuah, Harrison Jalla and Davidson Adejuwon were also included in the committee. This commitment to nurturing talent underscores the NFF’s dedication to elevating the quality of football in Nigeria. Stakeholders are hopeful the innovations will uplift the league as it kicks off next month.
The NPL continues to make strides towards becoming ever more competitive domestically and on the continent, both on the field and in its operations. Last season’s champions Enyimba International will compete against the best on the continent in the Champions League. Their triumph in the 2022/2023 NPL season adds an extra layer of significance to this transformative period. While last season’s abridged format was a necessary measure to conclude the season promptly, the upcoming 2023/2024 season promises an exhilarating return to the pitch.
A fresh season was billed to take off on August 26 to be in line with intentional football scheduling only for the organisers, the Interim Management Committee, to shift the commencement of the new season to next month. This shift triggered speculations about why and initial reactions pointed to issues related to setting up and operating the new AI cameras. The delayed start, now set for September 9, has been alleged to be necessary for teams to sort out licensing and no official confirmation ties the delay to the training of AI camera operators. However, there are sources that claim that the postponement is believed to afford organisers enough opportunity to facilitate the optimal installation of livestream equipment at designated venues, with the league draw scheduled for August 28.
This is because Propel Sports Africa’s comprehensive training programme for 40 Nigerian operators is central to this revolutionary era in the NPL. The training encompasses the intricacies of AI camera handling and broadcasting, equipping these individuals to seamlessly manage the upcoming season’s live streaming. The training initiative holds the potential to usher in a new era of employment opportunities for these individuals, positioning them as integral players in the technological revolution shaping the NPL.
The incorporation of AI cameras into NPL matches yields a plethora of benefits poised to captivate fans’ hearts and minds. Notably, the heightened viewing experience delivered by these cameras, with their superior camera angles and precise ball tracking, promises to immerse fans deeper into the heart of the game. Furthermore, their capacity to generate high-quality video ensures that every nuance of the action is conveyed with stunning clarity.
The financial accessibility of AI cameras represents a key breakthrough for fans. With the projected cost per match ranging between N120 to N200, and a basic monthly subscription of N1,500, the NPL.TV app offers fans a cost-effective means of engaging with the sport they love. This democratisation of access underscores the league’s commitment to fostering widespread fan engagement. These affordable payment options will be attractive for fans of the domestic League and may lead to an increase of viewership across the country, the continent and beyond. Whether these initial pricings will remain so when the app goes live and when the season commences remains to be seen.
As the NPL gears up for the upcoming season, the integration of AI cameras emerges as a transformative catalyst. This fusion of cutting-edge technology, visionary partnership, and fan-centric approach positions the NPL on an exhilarating trajectory, promising to redefine how football is experienced and shared.
The Nigeria Premier League’s embrace of AI cameras truly represents a paradigm shift in sports broadcasting. This landmark partnership between Propel Sports Africa and the NPL, including their partner, GTI Asset Management, signifies a bold leap forward, one that promises a new dimension of engagement, accessibility, and coverage for fans. The countdown to September 9, not only marks the commencement of a new season but also heralds the dawn of a new era in Nigerian football.
While there is an abundant number of positives to be garnered from this new era, concerns still loom in the background and a balanced perspective necessitates acknowledging both the remarkable opportunities and the valid concerns that accompany this technological leap. Firstly, while the convenience of live streaming directly to mobile devices and laptops is undeniable, there’s the potential for undue pressure on players and coaches to perform under the intensified scrutiny of AI-powered cameras. The cameras’ ability to generate real-time data and statistics on performance may inadvertently contribute to heightened expectations and criticism.
Again, in the backdrop of the NPL’s partnership with Propel Sports Africa, there’s the question of financial implications for both the league and the fans. While the projected cost per match is aimed at affordability, questions arise about the sustainability of this pricing model. The transition to AI-powered broadcasting undoubtedly comes with associated costs, and there is an underlying concern about how these costs might translate in the long run, potentially affecting the league’s financial stability.
In a league striving toward excellence, the integration of AI cameras is a commendable step towards modernising football broadcasting. However, As the NPL and Propel Sports Africa navigate these uncharted waters, their ability to address and mitigate these concerns will be pivotal in ensuring a harmonious and successful transition.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
