SHILLONG: With the FIFA World Cup just a few months away, Shillong Lajong players were presented with the match ball, the Brazuca, by an official from Adidas, the company that manufactures the ball and also sponsors Lajong, at Third Ground, Polo, on Wednesday.
The Brazuca – a name chosen by host fans in Brazil – is the official ball for the 2014 World Cup.
Although this was his first visit to the city, Tushal Goculdas, the Brand Director of Adidas India, spoke warmly of the five-year partnership his company has had with the North East club.
“There is a lot of pride in Adidas’ association with Shillong Lajong,” he told the assembled media.
“The mutal passion and commitment is also very high.”
Goculdas added that the firm’s aim in the tie-up with Lajong is not just about marketing, but seeks to “build the strength of the team through international experience, grassroots events and providing best quality gear”.
He also said that the talent in the youth of the country demonstrates the potential for football’s growth, which is of key importance given that India will host to U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017.
Goculdas also mentioned that the Bayern Youth Cup, which Adidas is associated with and which will be held in February, will give the youth of India a chance to build on their skills and he expects strong representation from the North East region.
On the Brazuca – a name that comes from the words Brazil and Bazuca (Portuguese for bazooka) – Goculdas, in a surprising moment of candour, said with a laugh that the ball “behaves well, not like the Jabulani,” referring to the 2010 World Cup ball, which received a substantial amount of criticism for the way it moved through the air.
Earlier, Larsing Ming Sawyan, managing director of SLFC, spoke about how Adidas became kit sponsors five years ago when the club was still a small team.
“It was a big deal that an iconic company like Adidas came to support us,” he said.
