National Division One games will now be beamed live on TV3 in Zambia, thanks to a tripartite broadcasting sponsorship deal which Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has clinched.

FAZ inked the deal for the second tier league with Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and Top Star, a Chinese-owned authorised public signal distributer in Zambia, on November 24 2020.

FAZ President, Andrew Kamanga, announced the signing of the three-year contract at the association’s head office in Lusaka.

A statement from FAZ says ZNBC Director General, Malolela Lusambo, said the public broadcaster will be airing a minimum of eight matches monthly on ZNBC TV 3 and bear production costs.

 “This deal will give Zambians across the country an opportunity to watch some of their upcoming heroes on national television. The wide coverage by ZNBC will give Zambian football a truly national identity,” Kamanga is quoted saying in the statement.

“The coverage of these matches will also give national team selectors an opportunity to see more players across the country from the comfort of their living rooms.”

Part of the deal will see ZNBC and FAZ sharing advertising revenue from the matches on 50-50 basis.

The statement further quotes Top Star acting Chief Executive Officer, John Zhuang, saying they were happy to be part of the agreement.

 “As TopStar, we are excited to partner with ZNBC and FAZ because the broadcast of Division One football games means that soccer has been brought to your doorstep. Regardless, where you are in Zambia, we shall be in your home and local community with the best local football action. We will be where you are in every part of Zambia with your local stars on TopStar,” Zhuang said.

Few countries in Africa, let alone Southern Africa, have their lower tie football leagues broadcast live due to administrative challenges that undermine the commercialisation of the game.