AFCON was obviously a huge draw card due to features such as live blow-by-blow scoring and columns, blogs and in-depth analysis from some of the top names in African football. But what we're finding interesting is the obvious trend towards sport fans consuming more and more sports content both online and via mobile phones. While television will always remain a key medium, the digital media environment is gaining massive popularity as viewers can access content on the move, when and how they want it.
It's apparent that the immediate and interactive nature of online appeals to sport enthusiasts; in one day alone, we had 180 000 unique users logging in to catch up on the South Africa vs India Test Series. Even more encouraging is the marked increase in African countries accessing content via the Internet and mobile, highlighted by tremendous growth in Nigeria and Botswana.
With the 2010 FIFA World Cup now firmly in the spotlight following the excitement of AFCON, SuperSport is launching a fantastic competition that will appeal to football fans both in Africa and across the globe.
Chase the Makarapa will feature three adventurous, football-crazy African winners joining contestants from Asia, Europe and South America in a quest to track the iconic Makarapa - a colourfully redesigned hard hat passionately worn by South African football fans - through different parts of South Africa, with the opportunity of clinching treasured tickets to attend games at nine of the World Cup venues.
Each participant will receive an HD mini-cam, mobile phone and laptop with Internet access. The team will be provided with transport and accommodation and will be accompanied by a SuperSport television crew, which will turn their adventures into a daily 15-minute television show to be broadcast on SuperSport's 24-hour World Cup channel across the continent and on numerous online platforms internationally.
User-generated content will provide unique and personal insights into the World Cup, but will most importantly assist us in fulfilling our responsibility of showcasing South Africa through the eyes and mouths of true sports fans to sports enthusiasts worldwide during the World Cup.
