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 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 instituted by the Commission were concluded. Further, the Commission 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.

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 Stork.