StarTimes wins rights to Europa League

Pay TV digital operator StarTimes has acquired the broadcasting rights to UEFA Europa League soccer in Sub-Saharan Africa up to 2021.

The rights cover only English, Portuguese and local languages in English- and Portuguese-speaking areas, with the exception of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.

Qasim Elegbede, StarTimes’ brand and marketing director, said: “This summer’s Fifa World Cup was a success and fans really appreciated that we brought them the International Champions Cup exclusive and live right after. We then thought that they would be delighted to watch another European club competition on StarTimes.

“We are working hard to bring the best sport content to our subscribers. This season will be intense for football fans, with Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Fifa Club World Cup, the French and Italian Cups and now UEFA Europa League.”

The football matches can be watched on all sports channels on StarTimes.

The news follows StarTimes’ recent coverage of the first African Freestyle Football Championship live from Lagos earlier this month. The aim of the competition was to select the best male and female freestyle African football champion from all over Africa.

As well as the competition, there were side attractions and entertainment from Nigerian artistes like Kcee, Falz, Slim Case, Mr Real, Mayorkun and Tanzanian recording artist Vanessa Mdee.

Guiness world record holder Iya Traore and female freestyler Raquel Benetti from Brazil were also present.

Freestyler Abdul Titi Kone emerged as the winner, taking home US$3,000 and a new car given by GAC Motors. The second, third and fourth positions were held by Riesco, Abdullah Emad of Sudan and Ashley Mkhize of South Africa, who won US$2,000, US$1,000 and US$500 respectively.

tagged in: Qasim Elegbede, StarTimes, UEFA Europa League