NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1 – With the arrival of new broadcast partner Azam TV, there could be a possibility of the return of night-time fixtures in the FKF Premier League, if their suggestions will be embraced by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Azam TV Chief Operations Officer (COO) Yahya Mohamed has suggested night games for the Premier League to lure more fans in and increase viewership.
There were night games in the Premier League years back, but this was halted due to security concerns, especially after the events that led to the death of fans during a night-time Mashemeji Derby 12 years ago.
“If we can have matches at 7pm it would be great because most of the times people have left work, they have managed to beat a bit of the Nairobi traffic and can make it to the stadium with that time. The aim is to play in a time that is friendly for people. Even for those who can’t manage to go to the stadium 7pm is an ideal time if they are at home, they can comfortably watch the game,” Mohamed told Capital Sports.
However, the challenge with this will artise with the broadcast quality of floodlights at both the Nyayo and Kasarani Stadia, which are the only two with such facilities.
The concern around these lights was one of the reasons the two facilities have been banned by CAF from hosting high profile international matches.
“We have been told that these facilities will be closed down for renovations and we hope that the issue of floodlights is one of those to be addressed. If this is done, then we have no problem having matches at night,” FKF President Nick Mwendwa said in response.
He added; “We will have talks around the fixture because it is not cast in stone and we will adjust where necessary.”
At the same time, there could be a change of kick off times from the traditional 3pm kicks offs, with broadcast games now suggested to be kicking off at 4pm.
For the last several years, games have had a uniform 3pm kick off, while early kicks offs in circumstances of double headers or weather have kicked off at 1pm.
The 3pm kick off times were introduced when the league had SuperSport as its broadcast partner.
“We have made a suggestion, based on people’s schedules. Most weekends, people spend time with families, others in places of worship in the morning then after that get time to relax a bit. Why not have these games kicking off at 4pm and allow them to get to the stadium comfortably?” Mohamed posed.
Azam are looking to pick up positives from their experience in Tanzania, where night matches have especially become popular.
