By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Caption: Anaso Jobodwana (athlete), Marc Jury, the Chief Executive of SuperSport, James Moloi (President of ASA), Gerda Steyn (athlete), Kyle Blignaut (athlete).
Pan-African broadcaster, SuperSport has joined forces with Athletics South Africa (ASA) after the two parties signed a four-year broadcasting sponsorship deal.
Marc Jury, the Chief Executive of SuperSport, described the new partnership as “fantastic”.
“It’s fantastic news that SuperSport will be showing the very best of athletics, telling the great stories that matter. With so much talent emerging and athletes winning major medals, this is an exciting time for the sport. We look forward to broadcasting these moments and helping unveil aspirant stars.”
Beginning in March, the broadcasts will include the SA track and field championship, the ASA Grand Prix, which is now part of the World Athletics challenger series. Off the track, the rights include the world-famous Comrades Marathon, Two Oceans, Soweto and the Cape Town Marathon.
James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa said “With this package deal, we can proudly say that Athletics is back. We will now feel comfortable knowing that we are deservedly equal to the other leading national federations in the country.
“So, today ASA is on top of the moon and we thank SuperSport for sharing our foresight. We believe with this deal the interests of the Athletics Family are fully served. Every one of our stakeholders will now receive coverage. This means our juniors, youth, tertiary, primary and high schools will now all get a fair share of being on TV. Our ASA Provinces will be the most relieved to learn that finally some of their key events will now be on TV. This deal will, without doubt, help us attract much needed sponsorship to both ASA and ASA Provinces.”
When not broadcasting live athletics, SuperSport will still have cameras on hand to package highlights shows for events like the SASA high school and primary school track and field championships, the ASA relay championships, the USSA track and field championships and the ASA cross country championships.
These will be streamed on the popular SuperSport Schools app with highlights on TV.