After previously developing the 2008 European Championship and 2006 World Cup footballs for adidas, now Loughborough University are the exclusive research partners for the adidas “JABULANI”. The ball has been tested and endorsed by many world-class soccer players, including Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Petr Cech and Kaka.
The name ”JABULANI” originates from the Bantu language isiZulu, one of 11 official languages of South Africa, which is spoken by almost 25% of the population. Literally translated, “JABULANI” means “to celebrate”. Football is a passion that unites the world. The name of the new match ball appropriately pays tribute to the passionate football celebration international fans will enjoy in South Africa next summer.
Eleven different colours are used in the adidas JABULANI, the eleventh adidas World Cup ball. These 11 colours represent the 11 official languages of South Africa, the 11 players in every team, and the 11 South African tribes that make the country one of the most ethnologically diverse countries on the African continent.
The new “Grip’n’Groove” technology provides the best players in the world with a ball that can stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions. Comprising only eight, completely new, thermally bonded 3-D panels, which for the first time are spherically moulded, the ball is perfectly round and even more accurate than ever before.
The colourful 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. And like the outer facade of Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, individual design elements also capture the colourfulness of South Africa.
There is something quiet unique about this ball, and I am sure that future designs will be created using the same technology seen in the Jabulani. Let me finish up by giving you 2 tips; anticipate the ball flying further than you expect, and when you get to shoot remember that by using the Jabulani, you already have an added advantage over the goalkeeper!
When Jabulani tested in game, the resulting were all very similar, that pointing out the fact the Jabulani moves very fast and ends up playing longer than expected. There is only one way to understand what this ball is all about, and that is to test one for yourself. If you get the opportunity to try one out, you will understand what I mean when I say that putting some spin on this ball makes it move.
One of customer review is Charles Rice. Here is what he said about World Cup 2010 Ball “I bought one of these about 6 weeks before the world cup so that me and my friends could play with it and see what it was like.As a field player, I love the way it plays on the ground. It gives great control for dribbling and moving downfield. I also like the way it shoots. Perhaps if I was a more precise shooter, I’d feel differently, but I am happy to hit the quarter of the goal I am aiming for, and I can do that as well with this ball as with most others. I like shooting this ball. Overall, I like it a lot. Most of the people I play with agree, but definitely not all of them.”
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