Telecommunications giant, Telkom, has announced its partnership with Lions Cricket, a collaboration that will showcase the âPower of Connectivity and Technologyâ through the ever-impressive Imperial Wanderers Stadium, which will become an innovative digital entertainment destination that merges the physical and digital worlds.
Packed with a rich history, the Imperial Wanderers Stadium was built in 1956 with a 34 000-seating capacity and is synonymous with hosting numerous international cricket matches.
The partnership with Telkom will see the stadium become the first 5G stadium on the continent, allowing fans to have a high-tech experience such as cashless payments, opportunities to watch per-pay view content, strong mobile network experiences, a business hub as well as fan behaviour tracking tools. In addition, the development pipeline, now called the Telkom Talent Acceleration Program, was launched to improve access, and ensure inclusivity to enhance greater participation in the sport.
âThe partnership with Imperial Wanderers is a way for Telkom to demonstrate our broadband leadership, deploy leading edge innovative 5G solutions to enhance experiences for patrons, who will get to participate in the high-tech experience of being at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium through the various propositions that we will offer at the stadium, such as augmented reality or virtual reality fan experiencesâ, stated Gugu Mthembu, Chief Marketing Officer at Telkom.
“Our commitment goes beyond just technology we are also thrilled to be part of the development of South African cricket, to unearth and nurture tomorrow’s world stars that will emerge from the previously disadvantaged communities, through the Telkom Talent Acceleration Program”, concluded Mthembu.
Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright elaborates on the magnitude of the partnership;
âWeâre honoured to welcome Telkom to our pride and are itching to get started in the merging of the physical and digital worlds. Add to this, the unearthing of tomorrows talent through the Telkom Academy and I genuinely believe that this partnership has the ingredients to take the game far beyond the boundary ropes and quite unlike any previous fan experience.â
