Adidas 'Jabulani' and the 2010 FIFA world cup

April 28 2010 , 1 min reading time

Adidas “JABULANI” is the Official Match Ball of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Launched last december, in Cape Town, Adidas and Fifa jointly presented the all new Jabulani match ball for the 2010 FIFA world cup. They claim to have an come up with an inspired design and radical new technology. It is sure to be popular with young fans, time will tell if the players like it as much.

Jabulani, means 'to celebrate' in the Bantu language Isizulu. In South Africa, there are 11 spoken languages. Isizulu is spoken by 25% of the population Adidas claim the ball will have a more stable flight and will give players improved grip under all conditions. It has 8 panels and uses the new 'grip 'n' groove' technology. The EVA and TPU panels are moulded together, enveloping the inner carcas. This makes the ball perfectly round. Many players have trialled the new Jabulani and are confident it will be a great ball, giving better control and hopefully more goals. Tests have been carried out at Loughborough university, The Adidas football lab in Germany and also a wind tunnel. Partner clubs, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, The Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town all tested the ball in 2008. They suggested improvements, Adidas took on board all comments and developed this ball over the next 12 months. They are already working on new technology for the 2014 ball in Brazil.

11 spoken languages in South Africa, 11 different tribes in South Africa,11 players in a team, i suppose it was inevitable that there would also be 11 colours in the design of this ball. The ball is available to purchase and costs around £80 although, a replica ball costs around £15. With only a few weeks to go, lets hope the ball does exactly what the manufacturers claim. More goals, more excitement and an England win. (the manufacturers don't claim England will win though).