AHEAD OF EAGERLY-AWAITED FINAL: PLE, ESWATINI TV ON COLLISION COURSE

MBABANE – In an unprecedented move, Eswatini TV is accused of announcing the live broadcast of the Ingwenyama Cup final without getting permission from the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE).

PLE members/teams Green Mamba and Mbabane Swallows will be in action in the pulsating decider that will be punctuated with festivities that include culture competitions at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday. At the time of compiling this report, it was reliably gathered that the national broadcaster neither negotiated nor bought the broadcast rights of the game from the PLE, much against the dictates of the elite football office’s compliance manual.

“This has caused a huge confusion within the organisation (PLE). There is nothing official from Eswatini TV to PLE requesting to broadcast this game. “Covering the game for news content is totally different from doing a live broadcast. “This is supposed to be an opportunity for PLE and the clubs to make money by selling the broadcast rights for the game or at least partner with a TV station and have a proper business arrangement to make an income,” shared a well-informed insider.

Charging

Reports suggest that the PLE should be charging a minimum of E1 million for the broadcast rights and this money belongs to the clubs. In essence, it is the teams’ opportunity to make an income. “We have a compliance manual which carries the marketing handbook inside which directs and guides how these matters are handled. “The marketing manual states it clear that TV rights are not for free and how to acquire them,” stressed the source.
If Eswatini TV engaged any other party other than the PLE on this matter, according to the source, they were still out of order.

“You will never hear of any company coming to your event and start broadcasting and selling adverts and making money without your permission or payment of a certain fee for that.  “We are working hard to try and professionalise the league and try to open opportunities for clubs to make money. “Stakeholders should respect the organisation (PLE), the clubs, chairperson and the executive,” said the insider, who stressed that bringing controversy and confusion into this prestigious, respectable and beautiful tournament was the last thing in their mind.

Compliance

An insider in the PLE Executive reluctantly confirmed the latest developments, but said there were planned engagements with the relevant parties to address the concern. “I would like to thank the sponsor (Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund) for making sure that this tournament is back. “We appreciate everything the sponsor has done so far, especially by also making sure the sponsorship grows every season. “May we encourage all stakeholders to do the right thing and follow the right channels when doing business,” was all he could say.

Late yesterday, this publication learnt that Eswatini TV and the PLE were expected to meet late yesterday in a bid to find common ground on the alleged impasse. Eswatini TV’s Head of Communications Nomcebo Mbhamali  confirmed the meeting. “The ESTVA management team is currently in a meeting with the PLE as we speak.
“We shall revert with information after the meeting,” Mbhamali briefly said. “The resolution of the meeting had not been communicated by 7pm yesterday.

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