More fun expected as FNL starts

League MVP Kami Kabange will feature in FNL this season. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA 

KAMPALA- Much of Friday Night Lights’ popularity owes to the entertainment that fans derive from the on court action as well as off it. But with the prize money increasing to as high as Shs5m and winners of each game going home with Shs400,000 last season, the tournament often times had a feel of a competitive playoff fixture.

This consequently had an effect on the event as the entertainment was steadily sucked out of games, an issue the organisers have moved to solve by splitting an equal amount to each team every match-day.

“By offering the same amount to both teams, we hope the players will loosen up and make it even more exciting for the fans,” FNL director , Tom Ocamringa, stated at the launch of this year’s event. Both winners and losers will now share Shs600,000 between themselves while the tournament champions will walk home with Shs3m and losing finalists Shs2million.

The tournament that tips off at YMCA this evening has Team Kami and and Team Otim replacing Team Sudi, Lamunu, Malinga and Duxx as the number was reduced from 10 to eight sides.

There will be also be further involvement of fans for this season dubbed the ‘sixth coming’ with up to 40 fans expected to be given an opportunity through social media to play for one of the eight teams.

Spark TV, a sister channel to NTV, has joined Castle Lite as sponsors for the tournament and will telecast games live.

essenono@ug.nationmedia.com