One man’s loss is another’s gain, so the saying goes, and this is the case with the SABC after efforts to televise two boxing tournaments was floored by rival broadcaster SuperSport.
SABC Television had targeted tonight’s tournament at East London’s Orient Theatre, having televised Xaba Promotions and Events show in the city a fortnight ago.
Boxing Mecca can reveal that Andile Sidinile, who will present tonight’s tournament under his Sijuta Promotions label, first approached SABC with an original date of July 31.
However the public broadcaster, although keen to air the tournament, delayed in giving him a positive reply.
But while activating their plan to come down to East London for the second time in two weeks, Sidinile had already clinched a deal with SuperSport, who suggested he move his tournament to August 14.
“Yes, when SABC relaunched their television broadcasting at Birchwood in Boksburg when they aired BRD Promotions in June, I went to their offices in the morning and did the necessary application,” Sidinile said. “But nothing came forth until I heard that they were interested in televising my tournament at a time when I had already clinched a deal with SuperSport.”
Sidinile however insisted he had not signed a long-term deal with the pay channel, but would return to SABC for his September tournament, also scheduled for East London.
“I have negotiated a deal with SABC for September 6 so boxing fans can relax.”
Sidinile has been criticised for approaching the pay channel, when he was a leading campaigner in the bid to return boxing to the SABC.
“When SABC responds to what Andile and others have been fighting for he jumps ship to another television channel,” one boxing observer said.
“Not everybody has access to SuperSport while we would have been able to watch the tournament if it was on SABC,” he added.
Sidinile said he understood the frustrations of the boxing fans but insisted that his decision was motivated by business.
“I could not risk having my tournament without television hence I approached SuperSport when I could not get answer from SABC on time,” he said.
Pay channel floors SABC bid to air fight
SABC Television had targeted tonight’s tournament at East London’s Orient Theatre, having televised Xaba Promotions and Events show in the city a fortnight ago.
Boxing Mecca can reveal that Andile Sidinile, who will present tonight’s tournament under his Sijuta Promotions label, first approached SABC with an original date of July 31.
However the public broadcaster, although keen to air the tournament, delayed in giving him a positive reply.
But while activating their plan to come down to East London for the second time in two weeks, Sidinile had already clinched a deal with SuperSport, who suggested he move his tournament to August 14.
“Yes, when SABC relaunched their television broadcasting at Birchwood in Boksburg when they aired BRD Promotions in June, I went to their offices in the morning and did the necessary application,” Sidinile said. “But nothing came forth until I heard that they were interested in televising my tournament at a time when I had already clinched a deal with SuperSport.”
Sidinile however insisted he had not signed a long-term deal with the pay channel, but would return to SABC for his September tournament, also scheduled for East London.
“I have negotiated a deal with SABC for September 6 so boxing fans can relax.”
Sidinile has been criticised for approaching the pay channel, when he was a leading campaigner in the bid to return boxing to the SABC.
“When SABC responds to what Andile and others have been fighting for he jumps ship to another television channel,” one boxing observer said.
“Not everybody has access to SuperSport while we would have been able to watch the tournament if it was on SABC,” he added.
Sidinile said he understood the frustrations of the boxing fans but insisted that his decision was motivated by business.
“I could not risk having my tournament without television hence I approached SuperSport when I could not get answer from SABC on time,” he said.
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