Football fever is at its peak. This is precisely the reason why the football governing body FIFA, has decided to launch its apparel brand and stores in the country. The first store opened at Oberoi Mall in Goregaon, on Saturday and on Sunday, another one at Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel.
The current collection includes only T-shirts. Says Vijay Madanu, vice president FIFA Amigo Sports, which markets the products, "The collection is based on fashion inspired by the 100-year-old heritage of football. There are four segments of the ‘Beautiful game’ that we will focus on as of now."
‘1904’ is based on the FIFA founding year, ‘Edition’ commemorates winners of the World Cup, ‘Sports Graphics’ is an expression of facts and figures, and ‘Code Collection’, based on the Bantu art of Africa focuses on street football. These T-shirts will also help spread the word on what it means to be a player.
Club football jerseys like that of the English Premiere League, which are generally a huge draw in the city, will not be a part the collection. Adds Vijay, "Clubs are private bodies and not controlled by FIFA. We want to promote the game through its history and dimension and not limit it to clubs."
The first lot of team jerseys to come on the shelves will be of Argentina, Brazil, Spain, England, Germany, Mexico, Italy and France.