Operators of viewing centers in Lagos have said that the lack of live telecast of local sporting events on national and satellite television channels was crippling their businesses.
The business at viewing centers has been very slow since most European Football Leagues ended in June.
Gbenga Dada, the CEO AJ Communications viewing Centre in Ijegun, said that the fuel price increase was another challenge for operators of viewing centers.
He said that the recent increase in the subscription tariffs by Multichoice has further added to the challenges.
“It’s so strange for us, but most importantly it’s been a very bad situation we find ourselves since the European football Leagues went on break.
“There is little or nothing to show because the league has always been the driving force of our business.
“Even when we tried to show some sporting activities like athletics and many FIFA World Cup/Africa Football Qualifiers, we still have very low patronage,”Dada said.
Funsho Shogbesan, a viewing center operator in Ikotun, said that the Nigerian football leagues and other sporting events can be rebranded to make them commercially viable.
“We need to have more local sporting events been televised on national televisions and digital channels.
“We call on the government and corporate bodies to invest more on our football leagues and other sporting events to achieve credible national coverage.
“The last Naija Super 8 Football Tournament was a success, if we can have more of such events indeed it will be a different thing entirely,” Shogbesan said.
Friday Okey, who owns a viewing center in Okota, said that business has been down completely because of lack of sporting activities, especially football.
He said Nigerians are generally football lovers and would only troop to viewing centers if live football action was taking place.
He said they can only wait for the season to get started in August.
“One has come to realization of off-season challenges and how business is basically brought to a standstill when football season ends across Europe.
“But as business owners we have been able to design other aspects by introducing games like Snooker, table tennis and draft competitions for fans,”Okey said.
