The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation’s hopes of raising the funds needed to acquire rights for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament were boosted after mining company First Quantum Minerals agreed a sponsorship deal for the public-service broadcaster’s coverage of the tournament.
According to the Times of Zambia, First Quantum’s deal is worth K1.3 billion (€199,000/$254,000). The Sportfive agency is currently asking for K2.1 billion for the rights, down from a K3.2 billion initial asking price. The ZNBC is in negotiations with Sportfive about a possible further reduction in the fee.
First Quantum director Kwalela Lamaswala called for further external financial support to help ZNBC buy the rights. “We are urging other players in both the private and public sectors to join First Quantum,” he said.
Sportfive is selling the rights on behalf of the Confederation of African Football, the governing body of football in Africa.
First Quantum sponsored ZNBC’s broadcasts of Zambia’s qualifying matches for the tournament in a K800 million deal.
The Zambia national team will participate at the Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and will begin on Saturday.