Huge AI Tech Partnership Boosts NPFL Coverage for 2023-24 Season

Huge AI Tech Partnership Boosts NPFL Coverage for 2023-24 Season

By Gbenga Gboyega

The Interim Management Committee in conjunction with her finance partners - GTI Group, alongside Propel Sports Africa partner to adopt a first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence Technology to boost coverage of NPFL games starting next season.

The Nigeria Professional Football League announced the development via their official handle, and bsnsports.com.ng gathered intricate details regarding the deal that will cost $5 million annually for the next five years.

In attendance at the signing galore were the Director of Propel Sports Africa - Ed Simons, and the Chairman of Propel Sports Africa - Basil Kabbani, alongside officials of the Interim Management Committee and the Nigeria Football Federation.

The partnership also involves financial consultation and expertise of the GTI Group, a top-notch investment bank in Nigeria, aimed at developing Artificial Intelligence software to cover the League games for the 2023-24 campaign.

“The plan is to live stream on smart (mobile) phones via an Over The Top platform OTT. 

"The goal is NPFLLive powered by GTI and Propel. 

"This will be a watershed moment for Nigeria as we are only here to help", Basil Kabbani of Propel Sports Africa was quoted as saying.

He continued by reiterating the objective for Nigeria's top-flight League, aimed at reviving the elite status the NPFL once enjoyed in Africa.

“The goal is to put Nigeria back in the number one spot in Africa. 

"By August you’ll be able to live stream the league games in the country and other places in the world. 

"We’re in touch with international sponsors that will help monetize the platform.”

The NPFL will consequently become the first topflight League in Africa to deploy this level of AI technology for Broadcast and coverage powered by GTI, and will commence the live streaming of the games on a dedicated Over-the-top (OTT) platform, known as "NPFL Live".

World-leading provider for AI-automated sports video and data solutions - Pixellot, as well as ITV Africa, were also reported to be part of the partnership with the NPFL, GTI, and Propel Sports Africa.

From next season, fans of the League can now hope to experience a revolution in sports coverage in Nigeria subsequently, through the adoption and execution of comprehensive coverage of the league’s matches in a groundbreaking hybrid broadcast format combining AI with human operators.