Around the time the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) was announcing its decision to ban vuvuzelas, the instrument made its debut in India. The plastic trumpets that divided opinion at the FIFA World Cup this year will be part of the official merchandise for the Commonwealth Games.
The Bongo, a Cuban drum, and the South African vuvuzela are all set to add to the grandeur of the Games along with the Indian daph, vichitra drum, bhopu and the gong. The merchandise, unveiled today, goes on sale on Monday.
A few other instruments – targeted largely at the overseas visitors to the Games – would be unveiled on September 18. These products are expected to be priced at Rs 11,000 compared to the Rs 25-300 price tag of the 29 items announced today.
If one goes by the interests at the unveiling ceremony, vuvuzelas seem to have stolen an early lead in the noise sweepstakes. Wrapped in the Indian tricolour, the local version of the vuvuzela will be used at the Commonwealth Games to replicate the same fervour and zeal witnessed in South Africa.
UEFA, however, banned the controversial vuvuzela for the qualifying matches for Euro 2012 or UEFA Champions League fixtures, as it impacts the stadium atmosphere. In South Africa, FIFA had contemplated a ban on the instrument but decided against it. However, the Delhi Police is yet to take a call on whether to allow fans to carry vuvuzelas inside the stadium. The Organising Committee has requested the police to consider allowing the instrument.
Like most things with the Games, the launch of the merchandise was delayed too. Beijing, which hosted the last Olympics, had unveiled the merchandise several months before the event. Organising Committee treasurer A K Matoo said there was a delay in manufacturing the products, including T-shirts, caps, wristbands, umbrella, key chain, fridge magnets and stationery.
Sources in the Organising Committee said Premier Brands, which had bagged exclusive rights for the merchandise, had pulled out of the event following repeated delays in the launch of the products. However, the OC managed to get the company back.
