The Nation Newspaper

Tag: HOTSPORTS

  • NTA, HotSports ready to bring matches to Nigerian fans

    HotSports Media Group, Nigeria’s foremost marketing and Production Company, has formalised its relationship with Africa’s largest television network, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network, as the Official Exclusive Marketers of the 32nd African Cup of Nations which kicks off in Cairo on June 21. NTA will broadcast the matches on terrestrial television channels across Nigeria, while the Super Eagles will be among 24 teams contesting to lift the trophy on July 19 in the showpiece game.

    Other tournaments in the bouquet of the NTA/HotSports marketing partnership include the U23 Africa Cup of Nations (the 2020 Olympics soccer qualifiers that will be hosted by Egypt in November, this year), Africa Women Cup of Nations (Congo Brazzaville 2020), U20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 in Mauritania, the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco also in 2021 and CAF Super Cup 2020.

    At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding MoU between NTA and HotSports in Abuja during the week, NTA Director General, Yakubu Ibn Mohammed assured that his organisation would deploy its immense experience in the coverage and broadcast of international sports competitions to AFCON 2019 and the other tournaments in view and it is determined to deliver exciting moments for Nigerian sports fans through the partnership with HotSports.

    “NTA had always been known to be the front runner when it comes to the coverage of international sporting activities. NTA has covered various World Cups and has been involved in the coverage of the Olympic Games, African Cup of Nations, and age-grade competitions.

    This management of NTA is determined to bring back the good old days because NTA pioneered sports casting in this country and we should always be in the lead,” he stated. Ibn Mohammed dwelled on the significance of AFCON 2019 and why corporate organisations would derive huge marketing benefits from sponsorship: “As far as the 32nd African Cup of Nation is concerned, it is significant for Nigeria because this is the first time the competition is would feature 24 teams instead of the normal 16. Nigeria is participating for the first time in four years, so NTA feels it has a responsibility to beam the matches to the homes of Nigerians and viewing centres across the country.

    There will be 52 matches because of the extended number of teams, each of which will deliver the desired eyeballs for sponsors.

  • Hotsports set to make Oshoala Face of Female FA Cup

    Hotsports set to make Oshoala Face of Female FA Cup

    Hotsports Nigeria Limited are on the verge of finalising arrangements with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make former African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, the Face of the 2016 Female FA Cup.

    Oshoala, who is back on a short break from her base in London, where she features in the women football league for the Arsenal Ladies, joined the Hotsports team in a crucial meeting  with the Lagos State Football Association Chairman and the 1st Vice President  of the Nigeria Football Federation,  Seyi Akinwunmi at  the State  FA office in Onikan, Lagos on Tuesday.

    The NFF top official described the idea of making Oshoala the Face of the female FA Cup as a brilliant innovation and promised to pass the message to the President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick, who he said will be glad to welcome the initiative.

    “First of all, we have Oshoala, coming to give back, it happens only a few times . Secondly, we need inspiration  for young female footballers in Nigeria, she (Oshoala) has offered  herself and it’s a very good thing  to do , ” Akinwunmi  said.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of  Hotsports  and HS Media Group, Taye Ige commended the NFF and Asisat Oshoala  for creating the platform  to revive the image of female football in Nigeria.

    “It’s a boost  for female football in Nigeria ultimately, you remember that at every final event of the FA Cup, the  female  final is played just as an adjoint  of the  male event or as a curtain raiser. We think that is not good enough and  we think the national Federation should do something about it and begin to build the brand called female football,” Ige said.

    On her part, Oshoala said she was full of excitement about the initiative to make  her the face of the female FA Cup.

    “I feel very happy and excited about it, I”ll really appreciate it if it can be approved, to make me the Face of   the 2016 female FA Cup,” Oshoala said.

    Hotsports is the official Marketing consultant for the Asisat Oshoala brand.

  • Udo-Akagha wins HotSports Ladder Challenge

    Udo-Akagha wins HotSports Ladder Challenge

    The 2014 Annual HotSports Ladder Challenge ended at the weekend at the Lagos Country Club after 11 days of pulsating squash game action, producing Imo Udo-Akagha as the champion.

    Udo-Akagha garnered 71 points to win the 6th edition of the prestigious tournament. Cyril Ayimere who pulled 66 points and Fred Udo-Akagha who got 63 points came second and third respectively.

    The veteran category meant for players who are 50 years and above was won by Bode Falore who got 43 points. Bayo Sodade came second, while Taye Ige emerged third.

    Demola Olusunmade, Chairman of the Lagos Country Club Squash Section, commended HotSports for bankrolling the competition in the last six years, stressing that HotSports Ladder Challenge has become the foremost competition in the club.

    “We thank HotSports for doing this for the Squash Section and indeed the game of squash. We also urge the company not to relent in its genuine effort to popularise the game,” Olusunmade said.

    Taye Ige, CEO of HotSports, congratulated winners of the competition and lauded all the participants for the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited throughout the period of the tournament.

    He also commended the enthusiasm of the participants who have embraced the tournament heartily and members of the executive who made this year’s edition very successful.

    “We consider it a privilege to sponsor this tournament and I must say we are happy to do this because of HotSports’ commitment to the development of the game in Nigeria,” Ige explained, pledging his organisation’s continued support for the tournament.

    The closing ceremony of the competition featured an exhibition match between Onaopemipo Adegoke who is National U-16 number 2 and Lagos State number 1, and Dele Pratt, National U-16 number 4 and Lagos State number 2. The energy-sapping encounter ended 2-1 in favour of Adegoke.

    All the winners were awarded medals and other valuables prizes. Akagha also went home with a trophy and cash prize of one hundred thousand naira.

  • HotSports appointed official media (non-match) partner of NFF

    HotSports appointed official media (non-match) partner of NFF

    Nigeria’s leading sports properties management and production company, HotSports Nigeria Limited, has secured rights as the Official Media (non-match) Partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). This was announced at a joint Press Conference addressed by the Nigeria Football Federation and HotSports.

    With its new status as the Official Media (non-match) Partner of the Nigeria Football Federation, HotSports is at liberty to be at eall the Nigeria national football teams events to film and observe activities within the camp of the various teams as they prepare for competitions across the world without interfering with the job of the technical staff of NFF and the players.

    According to Taye Ige, CEO of HotSports, this initiative was informed by the desire to provide richer programmes offering on television to football fans and bridge the gap between super stars and their fans. With this, he said, a whole new window has been created for the supporters of the various Nigerian national football teams who view HotSports’ programmes on television to become integrated in the daily lives of the players by allowing them insight into the world of the Nigerian stars.

    Ige said: “HotSports will be there when the players wake up in the camp, have their meals, train, during tactical sessions, warm up and moments before games. With this development, fans are offered the opportunity to feel part of the process as they also share in the success of the teams. Beginning with FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup, exciting times await football fans as they would have access to details of activities of players in camp as they prepare for different tournaments.”

    Ige maintained that the partnership which spans three years would deliver enormous benefits not only to football fans but all the parties involved, including the country’s football.

    General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu, represented by Demola Olajire, Director of Information, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), praised HotSports for the laudable initiative. He said the company was granted the exclusive rights because of its pedigree.

    “It is a partnership that we are convinced will add value to the country’s football,” Amadu said.

  • HotSports rolls out Brazil 2014 hospitality packages

    HotSports rolls out Brazil 2014 hospitality packages

    In a bid to make the FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup a worthwhile and hassle-free experience for Nigerians interested in visiting venues during the quadrennial Tournament, HotSports Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s foremost sports production and marketing company, in conjunction with its international partner, The Production Room Inc. (formerly RP Productions), has announced a wide range of hospitality packages

    According to Taye Ige, CEO of HotSports, the services to be offered include provision of tickets for matches, international flights either in economy, business class or first class; accommodation ranging from serviced apartments to luxury hotels especially in Curtiba, Suiaba and Porto Alegre where the Super Eagles of Nigeria will play their three group games; personalised and group transportation, meet and greet at the airport and guided tours of various destinations.

    He explained that the company’s local multi-lingual Brazilian team, centralised in Sao Paulo, would introduce multi-lingual guides, fluent in both Portuguese and English to facilitate communication for those who would take advantage of HotSports’ services at the tournament.

    He maintained that the packages are aimed at offering world-class services to corporate organisations that would create consumer promotions around the World Cup as loyalty reward for their consumers and for organisations whose executives would be in Brazil for the tournament.

    “In conjunction with our international partners, The Production Room, we have a very robust experience in this regard having successfully provided similar services during the South Africa 2010 World Cup. It is in realisation of the fact that during tournaments of this nature, there is always a gap in logistics which gives room for a lot of people to be short-changed and offered services that are below standard,” Ige said, explaining further that the packages would be tailor-made according to the specific needs of clients.