2010 official match ball unveiled

Friday, December 4, 2009

Cape Town - With just two hours to go before the much-anticipated 2010 Final Draw, FIFA and Adidas have unveiled the official match ball which will be used during the 2010 World Cup.

The football, dubbed "Jabulani" which means to celebrate in IsiZulu, features a South African inspired design.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the unveiling of the official match ball was yet another milestone ahead of the tournament, adding that the ball was a symbol of a globe and could unite the universe.

Eleven different colours have been used in manufacturing Jabulani, which is the eleventh Adidas World Cup ball.

These colours represent the 11 players in every team, the 11 South African official languages and the country's 11 official languages which make South Africa ethnologically diverse.

Jordaan said the colourful design featured on Jabulani carried the spirit and hope of South Africans.

He also thanked Adidas for their in sponsoring the World Cup and in rallying behind Bafana Bafana, saying that the ball would unify the world next year and represent the diversity of South Africa.

David Beckham, who plays for the English national team, also attended the unveiling. He said he had tested the ball and was very impressed with the design and the weight.

He had no doubt that his fellow footballers would be impressed next year as the ball player and goalkeeper friendly.

Beckham is among the dignitaries expected to attend the historic 2010 Final Draw later this evening.