The Adidas Jabulani is the only official match ball for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and is based on an entirely new technology developed by the sports manufacturer. The ball is perfectly round since it is compromised by eight different panels bonded together with heat (instead of 14 that was the norm until now), improving the aerodynamics and providing a perfect grip under different playing conditions. The Jabulani has an almost futuristic appearance and texture, while the Grip’n'Groove technology introduced by Adidas makes it the most advanced and accurate ball ever created.
Jabulani means “celebration” in isiZulu, one of the eleven official languages of South Africa and the ball is designed and inspired from the history and diversity of the host nation. The official World Cup ball is compromised of eleven different colours, one for each of the South African languages, tribes and communities that define the country. It is also representing the eleven football players of each team united as one. The ball was created by designer Julian Wade, and it was first presented in Cape Town on December 4, 2009.
The Jabulani ball has already been tested in a few official matches such as games for the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2010 African Cup of Nations. All players that used the ball were really excited and promised to score a lot of goals during the World Cup 2010.
Below is a video presentation of the Jabulani official World Cup 2010 match ball:
