Vodafone Zambia has lauded the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for the interim measures the organisation has taken in favour of City of Lusaka F.C. in a landmark decision that allows “City Ya Moto” to host league games at its home ground, the Vodafone Stadium.
Vodafone Zambia CEO, Lars Stork said: “The decision by the CCPC is commendable and should be acknowledged as such by all stakeholders interested in the development of Zambian football. Competition is the critical driver of performance and innovation. It benefits consumers by enabling more choice from an array of quality products and services.”
On October 25th, the CCPC directed Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and MTN Zambia (MTN) to allow City of Lusaka Football Club to use the Vodafone Stadium, their home stadium, until investigations commenced by the Commission have been concluded. Further, the Commission has allowed the Vodafone Stadium to be used for other football fixtures such as cup tournaments with immediate effect.
“Investigations thus far have revealed that City of Lusaka and other sponsors have from the 24th of August 2017 to the 4th of October 2017 incurred an estimated total loss of three million seven hundred and thirteen kwacha (K3,713,000) and are likely to lose sponsorship if the status core continues,” read the CCPC press statement in part.
Mr Stork added that the decision was a motivator to other corporate entities looking to elevate the state of Zambian football through sponsorships and other means.
“Like many other corporates, Vodafone is genuinely committed to the growth of Zambian football. For the sport, we all love to flourish, it needs as many partners with as little inhibitions. This is more than a marketing exercise for us, it goes to the very core of our business – ensuring we make a meaningful impact in the communities in which we operate. Therefore, the decision by the CCPC reinforces our commitment to the City of Lusaka as their official sponsor,” said Mr. Stork.
On Wednesday August 23rd, The City of Lusaka Football Club (F.C) announced Vodafone Zambia as their official sponsor in an agreement that gives the next generation operator the sole naming rights of the team’s home stadium, Woodlands.
But this City of Lusaka is going back to division one. You still want to be associated with small teams?
FAZ made City to be relegated. Its really bad treatment to Vodafone.
Brave CCPC. We love u
Good lucky Nkana FC in the quest to win the league
Well done Vodafone, you got sold a dead, three legged horse! City of Lusaka won’t be in the Super Division next season and you’re probably planning how to work around this (maybe get another team to play there) but for now, enjoy the egg on your face.
I blame the foools in FAZ for shortsightedness …everyone knows telecoms is one of the most lucrative sectors in emerging markets like ours…so expect more sponsors in football!!
But what if there’s a contract that clearly binds FAZ from bringing on a same-sector competitor? There are non-compete clauses some times. We all know you can’t represent Coca-Cola and Pepsi or Total and Puma at the same time, no matter how non-exclusive your terms are. FAZ can only work with what’s in front of them and nobody bothered back then until now when local football is on the up.
MTN are petty.
where can find ccpc offices in kitwe.
We are missing a point here yes FAZ has a contract with MTN that contract is for faz and not city of Lusaka.
City of Lusaka is club which is also looking for sponsorships and they got Vodafone.
The ground in question is for city and not faz.
Look SA they play in any ground with s lot of branded companies of networks
I suggest the name of the stadium be VODAFONE WOODLANDS STADIUM .
I want to retain history .