E200k early Xmas gift for Premier League

By Ntokozo Magongo

The PLE is set to benefit handsomely after the country hosted the COSAFA Under-20 Championships two months ago by receiving pitch-side advertising hoardings valued at E200 000.

The hoardings were used during the Council of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) Under-20 Championships held in the country from 7 to 16 October. They were stationed at Mavuso Sports Centre and Somhlolo National Stadium where the games were played by 12 countries who honoured the games.

The pitch-side advertising hoardings are a great way for sports clubs to generate some additional income from their sponsors who usually pay a premium for pitch-side advertising space. This is the area which receives the most attention and reach, especially if the match is being televised. The hoardings also give good images as they are placed right around the pitch.

The championships were sponsored by Inyatsi Construction to the value of E2 million and the hoardings were part of that sponsorship. COSAFA left the hoardings in the possession of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) who are due to hand them over to PLE. The COSAFA Under-20 tournament is an international youth football tournament open to national associations of the COSAFA region.

A source close to the matter confirmed that the PLE were now custodians of the billboards as per the agreement with COSAFA after the tournament that was won by Zambia after beating Mozambique 1-0 at Somhlolo National Stadium. The kind gesture comes at the right time for the PLE as they are on a mission of promoting local football internationally through the Eswatini Football Show which is broadcast by SuperSport and is viewed all over Africa and this is set to attract some sponsorships for them. Read More