South Africa’s only Tier One cricket stadium will now offer an unrivalled in-stadium experience game day and beyond – thanks to telecom giant Telkom and the place where Joburg meets, Imperial Wanderers Stadium.
The partnership with Telkom will turn the stadium into Africa’s first 5G stadium that will allow 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.
This relationship will certainly showcase the ‘Power of Connectivity and Technology’ through the ever impressive and iconic Imperial Wanderers Stadium, which will become an innovative digital entertainment destination.
Showcasing the power of connectivity, technology, and cricket development, is the promise of a match winning partnership, so expresses Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright;
“We’re 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 Talent Acceleration Program 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.”
“The 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 experiences”, stated Gugu Mthembu, Chief Marketing Officer at Telkom. "Our commitment goes beyond just technology, we are leaving no man behind. 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."
Jono Leaf-Wright concluded with thanks to Telkom;
“We take tremendous pride in being a Lions Pride that is innovative, edgy and absolutely world class. ‘The Lions Way’ is 100 per cent aligned with the ambition, passion and professionalism of Telkom and this most certainly is our honour.”