The crisis surrounding television coverage of the Sudanese Premier League appears close to a breakthrough after growing pressure on the Sudan Football Association during the closing stages of the domestic season.
With only three rounds remaining, the title race has intensified between Sudan’s two biggest clubs, Al-Hilal Omdurman and Al-Merrikh SC, while a separate battle continues for qualification places in the Confederation Cup.
Al Ahli Madani, Al-Hilal Al-Sahel and Umm Maghad are all competing for two available continental spots as the competition approaches its decisive final phase.
The Football Association has faced widespread criticism from supporters and media in recent weeks after league matches were no longer shown on television from the second round onwards.
Critics accused the federation of failing to recognise the importance of the country’s leading football competition and not responding effectively to growing public frustration over the absence of broadcasts.
According to reliable sources speaking to WinWin, intensive negotiations have now taken place in recent hours in an attempt to resolve the dispute between the Football Association and Sudanese national television.
The sources said influential figures have become involved in efforts to end the disagreement, with discussions reportedly producing significant progress towards restoring television coverage.
The same sources indicated that broadcasts are expected to resume from the fifth round of the competition, which is scheduled to begin in early June.
The development would represent a major shift after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the league’s media coverage.
The expected return of television broadcasting is also likely to coincide with one of the season’s most important matches, as the famous Sudanese derby between Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh is now considered highly likely to be televised.
The fixture is scheduled to take place on 6 June in the sixth and penultimate round of the competition.
Beyond its sporting significance, the derby is also expected to mark the long-awaited return of matches to Khartoum Stadium after a three-year absence.
Preparations for the occasion have accelerated in recent days, with the stadium rehabilitation committee working alongside the Football Association to complete renovation and organisational work before the high-profile encounter.
The decision to reserve the stadium specifically for the derby resulted in the Football Association changing earlier plans regarding the venues for fourth-round matches.
The governing body had initially intended to stage those fixtures at Khartoum Stadium after the opening rounds were played at Kober Sports City and Dar Al-Riyada Stadium.
However, the federation later reversed that decision in order to allow additional time for final preparations before reopening the stadium with the country’s most important domestic fixture.
As part of the revised schedule, Al-Merrikh’s upcoming match against Hay Al-Wadi Nyala will be played at Sports City Stadium in Kober at the beginning of June.
Al-Hilal’s match against Al Ahli Madani is also scheduled to take place at the same venue on 2 June.
Other remaining fixtures in the competition will continue to be held at Dar Al-Riyada Stadium in Omdurman.
The renewed focus on broadcasting and stadium preparations comes at a critical moment for Sudanese football, with competition on the pitch intensifying across both the title race and qualification battle for African competitions.
For supporters, the possible restoration of television coverage would offer an opportunity to reconnect with a dramatic conclusion to the season after weeks without access to live league matches.
The anticipated reopening of Khartoum Stadium for the derby between Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh is also expected to carry symbolic importance for Sudanese football after years away from one of the country’s most iconic sporting venues.
As negotiations continue, officials now appear increasingly optimistic that the broadcasting dispute can be resolved before the league reaches its decisive final rounds.
