The Nigerian Olympic Committee is seeking sponsors to fund a television rights deal that will allow Nigerians to watch the 2014 Commonwealth Games live on terrestrial television.
NOC secretary general Tunde Popoola said the organisation needs to secure $300,000 (€221,000) to finance a rights deal.
“The problem is looming before us and we don’t seem to have an immediate solution unless corporate organisations come to our aid,” Popoola said, according to Nigerian newspaper the Punch.
“If we don’t pay the money, there’s no way the Games would be shown in every home except on digital television. But then, how many Nigerians can afford cable TV just to watch the Commonwealth Games. Terrestrial TV is still the best bet, especially for people in the villages.”
The NOC faced a similar problem in 2012 when it struggled to secure viewing rights for the London Olympics, only for a deal to be eventually agreed.
Popoola added: “The money we’ve been asked to pay is not too much for the Games. It’ll give any company that is coming on board the opportunity to market their products while helping Nigerians.”
The 2014 Commonwealth Games take place in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3.