Adidas to Launch 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Official Merchandising Zones and Event Merchandise Across South East Asia
Manila, 5 December 2009—Adidas, official sponsor and partner for 2010 FIFA World Cup™, celebrates the global unveiling of the world cup 2010 ‘Official Match Ball’ concurrently with the draw event in Cape Town, South Africa.
“The official match ball is an iconic part of the World Cup and adidas has become synonymous with this highly-anticipated international event. The unveiling of the replica represents adidas’ strong belief that fans form the backbone of the sport and we want to share the moment and celebration with them,” says Marcus Chew, Senior Brand Manager, adidas South East Asia.
In the Philippines, World Cup Zones will open to the public on 5 December 09. Working closely with key retailers to bring the World Cup merchandising experience closer to consumers, these ‘zones’ will feature the latest in Federation football fashion as the event draws near. To kick-start the excitement, these World Cup Zones will be offering a free World Cup Mini Ball to all who purchase a minimum single receipt of PhP3,500 of any football merchandise items. Promo period is from December 5 to 31, 2009. Football fans can expect more exciting World Cup Zone-related offers as the countdown to the big game begins.
This year’s official match ball, the “JABULANI”, was created and designed by adidas specifically for the most important and celebrated event in the history of football. The “JABULANI” will only be used for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa on 11 June 2010.
FOOTBALL IS A PASSION THAT UNITES THE WORLD
The name “JABULANI” originates from the Bantu language, which is in isiZulu, one of the eleven official languages of the Republic of South Africa. Literally translated, “JABULANI” means “to celebrate”. The name of the new match ball appropriately pays tribute to the passionate football celebration international fans will enjoy in South Africa next summer.
UNIQUE DESIGN
The “JABULANI” features a unique South African-inspired design. Eleven different colors are used in the adidas “JABULANI”, the eleventh adidas World Cup ball. These 11 colours represent the 11 players in every team, the 11 official languages of South Africa, and the 11 South African tribes on the African continent. The colorful design brings together the tremendous diversity of the country in harmonious unity. Four triangle-shaped design elements on a white background lend the ball a unique appearance in African spirit. Like the outer facade of Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, individual design elements also capture the vibrant color of South Africa.
GROUND-BREAKING TECHNOLOGY
The Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ features ground-breaking technology known as the “Grip’n’Groove” profile, which gives the best players in the world with a ball that enables exceptionally stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions.
Eight 3-D spherically formed EVA and TPU panels are spherically thermal molded together, harmoniously enveloping the inner carcass. The result is a ball that is perfectly round and even more accurate than ever before. The Grip’n’Groove profile, made prominent by Aero Grooves, circles around the entire ball in an optimal aerodynamic way. The integrated grooves provide unmatched flight characteristics, making this the most stable and most accurate adidas ball ever. Additionally, the micro texture of the new ball’s outer skin has also been given a facelift—a futuristic texture with fantastic grip, giving players full control over the ball under all weather conditions.
The ground-breaking performance features of the adidas “JABULANI” have been confirmed in comprehensive tests at Loughborough University in England and in the wind tunnel and the adidas football laboratory in Scheinfeld, Germany.
adidas always involves world-class athletes in the development and testing of its products. The “JABULANI” superb design and technology has received rave reviews and praise from some of the world’s top footballers such as Kaká, Michael Ballack, Petr Cech, and Frank Lampard. adidas partners, AC Milan, FC Bayern München, the Orlando Pirates, and Ajax Cape Town tested the ball in 2008, contributing to improvements in the surface structure and material composition.
The new match ball will be available in adidas Sport Performance Concept stores and partnering distributor outlets from 5 December 2009.
In the future, adidas will continue to use innovative technology to extend its world-leading position in football production and thus strengthen its position as the authentic symbol of high-performance sporting goods for professionals and amateurs alike. adidas also intends to unveil more revolutionary innovations in match ball production for future UEFA, FIFA, and CAF competitions. The adidas innovation team is already working on innovations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.
World Cup Zones in Philippines
1. Adidas shop Trinoma – Level M2, Trinoma Mall, Edsa corner North Ave., Quezon City
2. Adidas shop Greenbelt – P111 Ground Floor, Greenbelt 3 Mall Ayala Center, Makati City
3. Adidas shop Rockwell – Stall No. 228, Level 2, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City
4. Adidas shop Angeles – Unit 2082-2083 Level II, Marque Mall, Francisco G. Nepomuceno, Angeles City
5. Adidas shop Ayala Cebu – Upper Ground Level, Active Zone, Ayala Center, Cebu City
6. Planet Sports ATC – Ground Level, New Wing, Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
