FIFA, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and adidas joined forces on Saturday to present the adidas Cafusa at a ceremony in Papeete, the city set to host the tournament between 18 and 28 September this year.
The adidas Cafusa is a specially adapted version of the Official Match Ball for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, a model which made its debut at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012. Based on the same design, the adidas Cafusa is notable for its vibrant colours and excellent touch, not to mention various technical features specifically engineered for beach soccer.
The latest innovation from adidas was revealed with appropriate fanfare too, as a full day of colourful events helped lift the curtain and heighten anticipation ahead of the September showcase. With the presentation ceremony open to the public, a large crowd were treated to a wonderful spectacle rich in Polynesian flair and steeped in local culture.
Particularly captivating were the Tahitian chants accompanied by traditional instruments and dances choreographed to illustrate the history and identity of the island, after which FIFA ambassador Christian Karembeu took to the stage to present the adidas Cafusa.
“The ball has been perfectly adapted to meet the most demanding technical needs of this discipline’s players and to make itself more visible on sand pitches across the planet,” explained the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner, addressing an audience filled with high-profile figures.
The former Real Madrid player also underlined the excellent relationship that has formed between the LOC and the city of Papeete, and in particular its Mayor, Michel Buillard.
“On behalf of the President of FIFA, Joseph S. Blatter, I thank you and all of your colleagues, elected officials and city employees,” he said.
With half the population of French Polynesia under 25 years of age, the youth were always going to be a main theme of the celebration, and 120 local youngsters got to take part in a friendly beach soccer tournament.
On the sidelines, the sizeable crowd also got to enjoy a 5-4 victory for the national beach soccer team, the Tiki Toa, in an exhibition match against France, the first nation to win the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup at the 2005 edition in Rio de Janeiro.
Following on from the launch of the official logo on 18 September last year, the festive and well-attended ceremony – concluded with an official dinner held by Mayor Buillard – constituted another important step in the run-up to the tournament.
Story courtesy of FIFA.com.
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