Pics: StarTimes appoints football legend, Kanu Nwankwo as brand ambassador

Africa’s leading Digital TV entertainment platform, StarTimes has announced the appointment of world football icon and superstar, Kanu Nwankwo (OON) as its new brand ambassador in Africa.

With the official announcement of a 3-year partnership deal signed today in Lagos, Kanu becomes the new face of StarTimes PayTV across 12 African markets where it presently operates, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, DRC, Uganda and others.

The ex-international will feature in StarTimes brand commercials, make special guest appearances at major StarTimes events and assist in promoting the StarTimes brand across Africa amongst other activities ahead of the digital TV switch over.

Kanu would also be supported by another ex-international, Mr. Jonathan Akpoborie who was also appointed as sports programs strategist and celebrity guest analyst on live shows. Akpoborie will feature as technical sports analyst on various StarTimes live sports broadcast shows dishing out insightful analysis and commentaries. Jonathan Akpoborie is a former Nigerian football player who spent the majority of his playing career in Germany. 

Explaining the rationale for the choice of Kanu at the signing and unveiling ceremony in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of StarTimes Nigeria, Mr. Jack Liu said StarTimes sought an individual that has a strong acceptance by wide audience across Africa. 

“Given Kanu’s successes in international football, his popularity is not limited to Nigeria alone but cuts across most countries in Africa. Kanu is an inspiration to everyone as his success represents a true Africa story; rising to success against all odds. He is a star the man next door can relate to” he said. 

Jack remarked ‘With digital TV switch over in view, StarTimes is making investment, harnessing resources and rallying stakeholders towards guiding Nigerians and Africans seamlessly into the new television era and connecting them with others across the globe. We strive to connect more with, inspire and excite our subscribers across Africa towards digital television.’

An elated Kanu thanked StarTimes for considering him worthy of being the company's ambassador.

“I am very happy to support and promote the StarTimes brand as its brand ambassador in Africa. My goal is to see Africa fully migrated to digital television broadcasting by June 17, 2017 and I am glad to partner StarTimes in achieving this.”

“Apart from being an ex-captain of the Super Eagles, Kanu is the most highly-decorated African footballer, having won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup Winners Medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is the only English Premier League player to have won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and Olympic Gold Medal, Jack enthused. ”

Kanu will also engage football enthusiasts with insightful live commentaries as a celebrity analyst for the Bundesliga and Serie A football games across Africa currently on the StarTimes platform with exclusive broadcast rights.

 StarTimes currently holds the exclusive broadcast rights across Africa for Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1. It currently broadcasts exclusively the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile showing from October 18 through November 8.