Ingwe TV deal with Zuku done without malice

By GILBERT WANDERA

Nairobi,Kenya:Wananchi  Group Limited, the owners of pay television channel Zuku have come out to defend their deal with Premier League side AFC Leopards.

The company in a joint statement with Leopards insists their deal does not infringe on any other existing sponsorship deal.

The two  reaffirmed their partnership and said they  remain committed to the development and airing of Kenya’s first football fan television show Ingwe TV.

“The  deal is not an infringement of any existing broadcast rights or in breach of any standing contract as it will provide support to the club and produce a magazine programme targeting AFC Leopard’s fans with news and information on the club, its players and their activities,” explained a statement  signed by Richard Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Wananchi Group Limited.

”Zuku is a brand that is committed to not only supporting homegrown talent but also to providing a platform to showcase that talent.

“We are proud of our local football talent and proud to be bringing the first local football fan programme to our audience. We are not engaging in any underhand or illegal activity, we are simply giving the stage to local initiatives.”

AFC Leopards vice chairman  Walter Onyino said; “The deal does not infringe on the agreement between Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and SuperSport. It has been signed with the best of interest of the club, the fans and Kenyan football at large,” he said.

Last week, KPL ordered  Leopards to terminate the deal or risk being suspended from the league. KPL Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda claimed that by signing the deal Leopards had infringed on it’s rules.

“We are willing to give them time so as to resolve it amicably but if this does not happen, we will have no option but to suspend them.”