Azam Should Be Honoured, Yanga Should Be Respected And Thanked

Rumours are often blown out of proportion especially in the transfer season where there is nothing else to write about actual football results. But we ought to be cautious not to dismiss most stuff as mere rumours, however exaggerated; they are often based on facts.  After Yanga refused to accept the MOU signed between the Tanzania premier league committee and Azam Media Ltd the local media is having an orgy conjuring up deals that apparently are the ‘forces’ behind  Jangwani hard heart.

DSTV through their SuperSport brand were the first to be presented as the apparent powerful force that enticed Yanga to snub the Azam Tv deal. In a recorded interview with Clouds radio, Wallace Kalia, the Tanzania premier league committee chairman, said SuperSport were interested in dealing with Simba and Yanga only at the expense of the other 12 clubs. That meant fans would be treated to matches involving Simba and Yanga only. Unsurprisingly, TPL committee refused that snobbish deal, if true there were ever such a crooked proposal, that would reduce the league to a mere two-club league. 

Wallace Kalia, later on to said  that Azam had offered better terms compared to SuperSport. It was a contradicting statement since according to a joint press release signed by 13 clubs, SuperSport never showed any interest in investing in the local league.Out of context or not, it is likely SuperSport showed a flick of interest only.

Zuku were then reported to be in early negotiation with Yanga for a deal worth Tsh400mn per year. They had been offered Tsh69mn less than that amount by Azam Tv so it makes financial sense to go ahead with the deal, if there is one. But if it is true that the Azam deal is not exclusive why can’t Zuku find a way to spread the dollars around and come up with a better packaged programme that covers all clubs? Covering all clubs provides more contents and action; it is more fun and appealing. Common sense dictates so, Azam have their weekly show and with all due respect it weekly swing from completely boring to very interesting due to the narrow spectrum of content. Concentrating on a single club limits the action and I think we are not yet there as a league. Spread the dollars, klabu zigawane umasikini to paraphrase from Juma Nature song.

Then Pepsi, according to Mwananchi media, are also in the mix, reportedly ready to fork out Tsh600mn to Yanga to promote their Pepsi Cola brand. Again, one should read the Pepsi deal with a screaming disclaimer though Mwananchi is very reliable, not your common gutter press. However the story does not state the length of the proposed deal, giving birth to more doubts. A financial deal with no time framework sounds quackish.

If all those reported offers are true, then Yanga and Azam will have demonstrated to us what competition can really do. For a second, let’s forget whether Yanga were right or wrong in snubbing the Azam Tv deal, and think what we have learnt in just a week! That competition is king, It has smoked out willing but very hesitant corporates to at least show more interest in the local league, Azam should be credited for that. They should be honoured for their patriotism in investing in our semi-professional league despite the low expected investment returns.  Yanga should be thanked for the wonderful remedial lessons. They have taken us back to school. Whether right or wrong, arrogantly or accidentally, Yanga have shown us that they are corporates out there ready to sponsor, and partner with our local league clubs.