Domestic football is set for a return to Dstv's SuperSport screens after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Monday signed a deal with a South African media company that will see local football being broadcast on a magazine show on the channels.
The three year agreement, signed between the PSL and Media Mora, will see the media company profiling local clubs, players both men and women, as well as the development leagues on a football magazine show called Pan African Football Show.
Media Mora is a renowned South African media company that has been at the forefront of producing high-quality African football content for SuperSport International.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at a local hotel, PSL chairman Farai Jere said the partnership is a monumental step forward, not only for the league but for Zimbabwean football as a whole.
He said the exposure will play a key role in enhancing the profile of Zimbabwean football, growing the fan base both locally and internationally, and elevating the entire local football ecosystem.
"We believe this is just the beginning. With increased visibility and a larger audience, we anticipate new opportunities for sponsorship, investment, and collaboration, all of which will contribute to the growth and development of the sport we love," Jere said.
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"To our clubs and players, this is your moment to shine. To our loyal fans, this partnership brings you closer to the action than ever before. We are taking Zimbabwean football to the world stage, and together, we will celebrate our talent, our passion, and our resilience."
Jere said the partnership goes beyond the football field as the magazine will also showcase the country's tourist attractions. He said they will work closely with key stakeholders in that regard, including the government and the Tourism ministry.
He said they will engage the country's President Emmerson Mnangagwa before the shows go on air.
"It is also a powerful tool to promote sports tourism in Zimbabwe. We are confident that as the world tunes in to watch our league, it will not only ignite a passion for Zimbabwean football but also encourage global fans to visit and explore our nation. Sports tourism has the potential to boost local economies, create jobs, and showcase Zimbabwe as a premier destination for sporting events and cultural experiences. By putting Zimbabwe in the global spotlight, we are building a bridge that connects our football to the world while also contributing to the growth of our economy through tourism and increased investor confidence."
SuperSport signed a broadcasting deal with the PSL in 2012 where local league and Cup matches were broadcast on the channel.
However, the deal was not renewed when it lapsed.
Jere said the partnership with Media Mora was the first step in their efforts to re-engage with Multichoice.
Media Mora Managing Director Julian Dube said the partnership will see local players getting a platform to market themselves to the global market while their clubs are set to benefit financially from the money generated through adverts on SuperSport.
"We are very enthused that the PSL has taken a bold step to set and start their own football show which will be named Pan African Football Show. It will showcase the initiatives and situations taking place in local football, and ambitions that the football league and Zifa have," he said.
Dube arrived in the country with Thomas Kwenaite who is the other company director.
Kwenaite features on SuperSport's popular football show Soccer Africa.
Pan African Football show will be a 30 minute programme that will be aired on SuperSport channels.
The PSL will provide the