Behind the game technologies at FIFA World Cup 2010
The sporting world has been greatly influenced by technology. With FIFA World cup football finally underway in the Republic of South Africa, we can easily state that in this one month of total football, technology will be a certain instrument which’ll help all sectors to deliver a stress-free, commotion-less and thoroughly entering world cup 2010. We look for a spectacular showpiece down in the RSA, and surely through the unification of different elements of technology this would be made possible, take a look down to understand why I say this.
• 3D Goal
For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup the action on the field would be broadcast live using 3D. There has never been anything like this in any sport ever before- live 3D coverage is all cool and hip only at the FIFA world cup football 2010. 25 football matches would be broadcast live in five different countries from South Africa using two distinct mobile production crews. These matches would be shown live to a global audience using 3D-ready televisions and similar channels. Public viewing places, pubs and cinema theaters too have been resurrected for added viewing fun. FIFA has officially teamed with Sony to produce World Cup matches in 3D. ESPN too would be broadcasting 25 matches from World Cup in 3D. At the end of this year, Sony Pictures would be release a documentary of the tournament on the 3D Blu-Ray discs.
• Jabulani
Adidas and many other manufacturers have brought a new and more advanced football to every new football World Cup. This time being no different, Adidas for South Africa has developed a special ball called the Jabulani, meaning “to celebrate: in isiZulu. The Jabulani has 11 colors on it which represent, each team player, every official South African language and for 11 South African communities. Jabulani ushers in some major advances in football technology, which include grip’n’groove texture, which allows for maximum control, stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions. The Jabulani comprises eight thermally bonded 3D panels, spherically molded to make this ball a perfectly round football that is more accurate than ever before. So, you can have the most precise football kicks to see at the world cup, knowing that the ball isn’t going to do anything, its courtesy the involved technology that the player’s ability would make the difference in the prefect and not so curling free-kick.
• Artificial grass for real fun
The fully artificial grass surfaces had been real put offs for all football fans and players around the world. Therefore, to make the World Cup in South Africa memorable for its spectacular stadiums and pitches, artificial grass has been teamed up perfectly with natural grass to create pitches with millions of synthetic grass fibers woven in between and beneath the natural grass. The artificial threads are driven 8 inches into the surface and intertwine with the roots of the real grass to give the surface a smooth robustness that is hard for tackles et al.
• 3D experience pavilion
Sony has erected a 280 inch 3D LED screen and 240 seats, at Nelson Mandela Square (Sandton City) in celebration of the first ever FIFA World Cup to be produced in 3D. This dubbed the 3D world - a premium 3D experience pavilion, any visitors to the pavilion will be able to enjoy a glimpse into the rich world of 3D created by Sony. The 3D world pavilion will offer an array of additional live entertainment shown in 3D. The 3D world pavilion will be open to all visitors from June 9 to July 12 (10am to 10pm daily, free of charge).
• Live action for blind
Courtesy the benefits of technology blind and visually impaired football fans will have the opportunity – for the first time really - to enjoy special live-match experience in South Africa. Six stadiums will each have 15 seats equipped with headphones, through which the blind will listen to the live action happening on the pitch through some trained commentators reporting live. This initiative, launched by the Swiss National Association for the Blind (SNAB) and the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB) and financially supported by FIFA, is aimed at making the tournament accessible to all.
• Recycled plastic jerseys
Football’s top stars will show their green spirit by wearing jerseys that have been made from recycled plastic water bottles. Nike, which manufactured the jerseys, has announced that many of the world’s leading players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Robinho and Ji-Sung Park will take to the pitch in South Africa, wearing environmentally friendly jerseys. In addition to five-time world champions Brazil, the Netherlands, Portugal, United States, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia and Slovenia are wearing plastic. The company states that the jerseys are made entirely from recycled polyester and each one is produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles. The kits are created from bottles sourced from Japanese and Taiwanese landfill sites, which were then melted down to produce new yarn. The process saves raw materials and reduces energy consumption by up to 30 percent compared to manufacturing virgin polyester.
• The cleats
Nike’s Superfly and Puma’s PowerCat 1.10 Tricks are some of the best cleats (soccer boots) created for the World Cup. But Adidas F50 adiZero TRX FG soccer boots for World Cup are actually techie to the core, weighing in at only 5.8 ounces or 165 grams, the Adidas F50 adiZero TRX FG cleats are designed light with special technology for top speed. Adidas claims that the TRAXION FG outsole on the Adidas F50 adiZero TRX FG soccer boots provides grip and comfort on firm natural surfaces. The Adidas F50 adiZero TRX FG soccer boots retail at US$200. The following players are expected to sport the Adidas F50 adiZero TRX FG soccer boots at the FIFA football World Cup 2010: Lionel Messi – Argentina, Jose Altidore – USA, Lukas Podolski – Germany, David Villa – Spain, Jermaine Defoe – England, Diego Forlan – Uruguay, Steven Pienaar – South Africa and Arjen Robben – Netherlands.
• Social media
We all know social networking sites have been the biggest word of mouth spreaders, and the best at delivering ground reports of incidents and occasions of late. FIFA thinks the World Cup wouldn’t be any different in this respect. All football fans will have something or the other to say for themselves, their team, their favorite players and to the other community members. Thus FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter says: “social media websites will play an important role in connecting everyone who cares about the game of football.” He has thus created his own twitter account, saying “I’m very excited to be sharing my own personal experience of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with football fans from all over the world.”
• FYI: Ways to see World Cup other than on TV
• For iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch download ESPN 2010 FIFA World Cup application from the app store
• Android mobile users can download Fifa Android App
• Blackberry mobile users can download the ScoreMobile FC app
• To get live streaming in your Firefox web browser install 2010 FIFA World Cup add-on
• Google Chrome web browser users can opt for FIFA World Cup-South Africa 2010 extension
• Live streaming of all FIFA 2010 WC matches courtesy ESPN
