Named ‘Jabulani’, the World Cup’s official ball will more than just reflect South Africa’s various colours and tribes.

By Adarsh Vinay

Even as South Africa face the threat of becoming the first host nation to fail to get beyond the group stage of a FIFA World Cup, the Proteas will be using the month-long sports extravaganza to showcase their “beautiful county”.

South Africa play the opening match of next year's finals against Mexico and then go on to face two former World Cup winners, Uruguay and France, in Group A. Virtually in a “death” zone, South Africa’s global community, however, is not losing sleep pondering over its nation’s soccer fortunes.

South African high commissioner in India, Francis Moloi, is ecstatic that the 19th edition of the World Cup is being hosted by his country.  Addressing a gathering of ambassadors and delegates from the 32 countries participating in next year’s event, Moloi said the World Cup would be “Africa’s showpiece.”
 
Speaking at a function on Friday night in Delhi, Moloi promised that the coming World Cup would be “the grandest ever” and added that it was his dream to see all the countries of the world come to Africa to “celebrate football.” “The biggest platform of the beautiful game in a very beautiful country,” Moloi added.

Friday night’s World Cup draw ceremony was also an apt occasion to launch the official match ball.  Called the ‘Jabulani’, the ball has been produced by Adidas. ‘Jabulani’, in Zulu language, means ‘to celebrate'.

Andreas Gellner of Adidas India said: “The 2010 World Cup match ball is refreshingly new in terms of design and technology.  The 11 colours represent the 11 tribes of South Africa.”

“The design is only one part of the story,” continued Gellner. “The ball is very accurate and has an exceptionally stable flight. Its ‘grip-n-groove’ feature will allow players to keep the ball under control in all situations - wet, humid or dry. The design will also lend more swerve, making it a nightmare for goalkeepers.”

The World Cup draw ceremony at a Delhi hotel also exposed how the world reacts to football events.  Even as delegates danced to some traditional African music, Brazil and England received the loudest cheer.

Among the African countries, Ivory Coast got the biggest applause as everyone saw a familiar face in Didier Drogba. France, though, were booed thanks to Thierry Henry’s handball during the controversial play-off tie versus Ireland.

There was a huge roar as the proverbial ‘group of death’ saw Brazil and Portugal pitted together. One could also make out the collective sigh of relief as Spain and England were handed relatively easy groups.

Even though the World Cup is still a good 190 days away, the build-up and anticipation to the world’s greatest sporting event has already begun.