The Green Falcons' new uniform, Adidas MENA general manager Bilal Fares' engagement in women's sports, and the company's future goals for the region are discussed in this interview with Arab News.
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| Image Source - Google | Image by <br><a href= The Khaleej Time |
By Mehran Mazari
The new football shirts for the men's and women's national teams of Saudi Arabia were unveiled by Adidas last month to great fanfare.
The general manager of Adidas MENA, Bilal Fares, spoke with Arab News about the new design and ambitions for football and sports in the area of the German sports company.
Regarding the new Saudi Arabia national team kits' design
Together with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, our goal was to inject a sense of life, wealth, and elegance into the design of the jersey. As a result, we included gold-like embellishments to give the jersey a more upscale appearance that will help it stand out both on and off the pitch.
The palm tree on the Kingdom's coat of arms serves as the design inspiration for the home kit, while the national flag serves as the inspiration for the away kit. The objective was to produce a design that represented the aspirations and development of the nation.
Regarding the shirt's debut in the desert
In order to honor the new kit's genuine essence as a representative of Saudi Arabia's football community and the Kingdom's history, we decided to unveil it in a novel way.
We were motivated to make a campaign film that symbolizes the nation's objectives and tenets after closely collaborating with SAFF. The documentary, titled "Weaved As One," followed the players as they delivered the new uniforms to other groups, took part in their festivities, and reenacted the famous team shot with each one. Everyone in Saudi Arabia is "Weaved As One," regardless of whether you are a national player or a member of a small community, according to the campaign's slogan.
Regarding how the 2022 World Cup would affect football in the GCC region
Without question, the 2022 World Cup has highlighted football in the GCC region and highlighted the fervor and love that local supporters have for the game. People from all over the world now have the chance to experience the distinctive culture and friendliness of the area thanks to the event.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup provides an opportunity for Adidas, a proponent of inclusivity in the sports business, to emphasize our unshakable commitment to diversity and cultural appreciation. "Al-Rihla," the official match ball for the competition, was evidence of this effort. The architecture, famous boats, and flag of Qatar served as the inspiration for Adidas' design of a ball that spoke to the region, local supporters, and cultural identity.
Additionally, the 2022 World Cup has given the GCC region's football a platform to display its skills on a worldwide scale. Fans all around the world have been exposed to the abilities and playing styles of players from this region thanks to teams from the region competing in the World Cup. This exposure may spark a greater interest in football and provide more opportunities for regional players to compete at a higher level.
Regarding collaborating with local football associations
Football is quickly rising to the top of the list of sports played in the area, therefore it's an honor for us to collaborate with federations that raise Adidas standing in the sport.
For instance, our partnership with SAFF aims to sign several high-profile footballers, such as national team captain Salman Al-Faraj, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Abdulelah Almalki, and women's national team player Farah Jefry, while continuing the brand's commitment to developing football in Saudi Arabia.
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| Image Source - Google | Image by <br><a href= The Khaleej Time |
Our joint goal in this relationship is to inspire the next generation of young girls and boys who adore playing this beautiful game in order to spread the message that sport has the ability to alter lives throughout the city of Cairo.
on the qualities Adidas seeks in its athletes
The company is looking for athletes that wish to motivate the upcoming crop of youthful talent and who embody the tagline "Impossible Is Nothing."
Farah Jefry, a female Saudi football player, is an excellent example of these traits because of her persistent endurance and dedication. She has surmounted cultural obstacles to become the best scorer in the first women's league, demonstrating that ambitions are achievable. All ambitious athletes can find inspiration in Farah, especially those who are dealing with similar difficulties. She gains personally from her accomplishment while also paving the path for future generations of female athletes.
adidas works to level the playing field for everyone by recognizing and promoting athletes like Farah. This encourages people to pursue their goals and realize their full potential, no matter what obstacles they may face, thus making the seemingly impossible, attainable.
Regarding regional women's sport promotion
We believe in the transforming potential of sports and their accessibility to all, which is why we are involved in improving women's sports in the area. As a proud SAFF partner, we are committed to using sports to promote inclusion and progress. We are devoted to making football accessible to everyone since it will help to motivate the upcoming generation of young female football players in the Kingdom.
Through continuous investments and initiatives, Adidas is also committed to supporting women's sports in the area. We are proud to have been a part of the process that has transformed women's football, and we are happy to have contributed to Saudi Arabia's women's team's recent success in becoming an official FIFA-ranked nation. Our goal is to provide the conditions for continued success in the sport, and we'll keep working hard to promote it locally.
Additionally, we collaborate with a variety of female ambassadors and athletes from across the region with the goal of supporting them in their athletic endeavors and encouraging young girls to participate in sports. Our collaboration with Qatari track and field athlete Mariam Farid serves as an illustration of this.
