FOOTBALL
THE CONNECTED BALL OF THE WORLD CUP – «AL RIHLA», the connected ball of the 2022 world cup
As was the case for «Dzabilani» among others for the South African World Cup in 2010, Qatar also has its own balloon, for this November’s high mass. It is called «Al Rihla» and arouses a lot of curiosity.
The Origins of the «Al Rihla»
Al Rihla” means “travel” in Arabic, meaning that this round leather through the cities of Qatar, will make the world of football travel, all the time of the competition, and that is understood. Its design is inspired by “culture, architecture, traditional boats and the Qatar flag,” FIFA said. In terms of appearance, this multi-coloured balloon is composed of a «pearly white base inspired by the traditional pearl industry of Qatar». There are also golden blue and red stripes. «Al Rihla» consists of 20 Speedshell panels whose shape is inspired by traditional dhow sailboats.
In a context where global warming is more than ever on the agenda, FIFA has thought about the ecological aspect. So “Al Rihla” is the first World Cup ball made “only with water-based inks and glues.”
«Al Rihla», the 14th wonder of the Adidas brand
As for the characteristics of the ball, «Al Rihla is the fastest of the official World Cup balls to date», announced Adidas Director of Conception-Football Graphics & Hardwear, Franziska Löffelmann. Might as well give a warning to goalies who will have to be extra vigilant. Football is getting faster and faster, and this evolution makes accuracy and stability in the air extremely important. The design of this new balloon keeps its speed in the air much longer,” she said. Adidas speaks of “ideal trajectory stability created by the shape and grooves of the ball.” More aerodynamic than any other World Cup balloon, Al Rihla was designed to promote a rhythmic game.
Al Rihla at the forefront of technology…
The «Al Rihla» balloon is connected and will be equipped with an inertial measuring unit sensor, capable of accurately determining its altitude, speed and position. It will be able to send data 500 times per second to a viewing room, reports Le Figaro.
This system is accompanied by a device of 12 cameras located on the roofs of the stadiums, which will follow the trajectory of the ball and the players. It will be used to measure 29 data points per player on a basis of 50 times per second. This technology will detect offsets and facilitate decision-making by referees. The latter will of course retain the last word. Within 20 seconds of each decision of the referee in the matter of offsets, a 3D animation will be generated automatically and broadcast on the TV and on the giant screens of the stadiums to explain the decision of the official.
The «Al Rihla» at what cost?
The «Al Rihla Pro» balon is sold by Adidas for 150 euros. A «Competition» version is available for 60 euros, and a «League» version for 35 euros. These last two models have the same design as the ball that will be used in the world 2022, but not the same characteristics, with in particular more polyester and a reduced share of polyurethane.
Source: AfricaTopSport / By Arnaud BOCCO
Yamoussoukro, December 26, 2023- After an impregnation visit of the Charles Konan-Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Prime Minister, Minister of Sport and Living Environment, Robert Beugré Mambé, said reassured. The stadium, he said, is ready to host Group C matches from Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia.
‘What we have seen is reassuring. Technically, from the equipment point of view, we are ready at the Yamoussoukro stadium. But we will remain vigilant until the end,” said Robert Beugré Mambé.
The Prime Minister called for on-call teams to be set up in all sectors. We will have specialists permanently because Côte d’Ivoire wants to be up to date, in all circumstances, with the expected benefits of this great country. We have given indications that vigilance is needed,’ insisted the Head of Government.
For this visit, which is part of the visits of infrastructure related to the CAN 2023, the Vice-President of the Republic, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, accompanied by the Prime Minister and other members of the government, visited the host infrastructure, in particular the President’s Hotel where official delegations will stay.
CAN 2023 is scheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire with 24 teams.
CICG
FOOTBALL
CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Partenariat: La FIF et le Groupe Carré D’Or ensemble pour la promotion du football Ivoirien
La Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) et le Groupe Carré D’Or ont conclu, ce vendredi 8 décembre 2023 à Novotel Plateau, un accord de partenariat en vue du développement du football en Côte d’Ivoire.
Leader de l’agro-industrie en Côte d’Ivoire depuis la fin des années 90, le Groupe Carré D’Or vient de s’ajouter à la liste des entreprises citoyennes partenaires de la Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) dans sa mission de développer le football en Côte d’Ivoire. Ce vendredi en effet, à Novotel Plateau, son Directeur Exécutif M. Khalil Ezzedine et le Président de la FIF M. Yacine Idriss Diallo, ont paraphé devant une parterre d’invité constitué de chefs d’entreprises, de légendes du football Ivoirien, de dirigeants sportifs et des médias, un accord de partenariat.
« Au Groupe Carré D’Or, nous avons une politique sportive très développée. Depuis plusieurs années en effet, nous partageons notre passion du port avec les Ivoiriens, sur le plan organisationnel et du sponsoring. Pour nous, sceller un partenariat avec la FIF un fait naturel. Nous sommes donc heureux de soutenir les Éléphants et dans le même temps le championnat national. C’est un réel plaisir de nous associer à la FIF dans sa mission de développement du football en Côte d’Ivoire et à participer à l’encadrement de la jeunesse Ivoirienne », explique le patron du Groupe Carré d’Or.
Pour sa part, le Président de la FIF, M. Yacine Idriss Diallo s’est réjouit de cette union avec le Groupe Carré d’Or.« Notre mission est d’encadrer la jeunesse à travers la mise en place d’une organisation efficiente pour que le football ivoirien aille de l’avant. Et donc dans cette mission là, avoir à ses côtés des entreprises symboliques comme le Groupe Carré d’Or est une fierté et une grande joie pour nous. Nous allons faire tout pour que ce partenariat soit de qualité, qu’il soit gagnant-gagnant sur l’ensemble des produits qui vont être utilisés. Le Groupe Carré d’Or sera donc à nos côtés en partie avec les Éléphants mais aussi sur la Ligue 1 et d’autres activités de la fédération. C’est donc une grosse satisfaction pour nous », reconnaît le Président de la Fédération Ivoirienne de Football.
FOOTBALL
FAILURE OF THE ELECTION OF THE FEGUIFOOT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – Guinea risks missing CAN 2023
The election of the members of the executive committee of the Guinean Football Federation, convened by the Standardization Committee on November 26, 2023, did not take place due to a lack of quorum. This election was therefore postponed to a later date.
The FIFA envoy invites Guinean football players to put aside their disagreements and make compromises for the happiness of football lovers. “Let’s put the egos aside, think about Guinean football, think about the journalists who live off it. Let’s compromise and move forward,” said Gelson Fernandes.
According to the FIFA Special Envoy, it is up to Guinea to deal with this problem. “Guinea is master of its own destiny. We will give our position. Guinea chooses which federation it wants to be in. The ball is in Guinea’s court. If she wants to move forward we will help her, but the ball is not in the CAF’s or FIFA’s court,” he suggested.
Referring to the failure to elect the members of the Executive Committee, Gelson Fernandes acknowledged that this is a serious situation and said he regretted the consequences it could have on the Syli as the CAN approaches which will take place in January-February 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire.
Finally, he invited Guinean football players to put their ego aside to allow Guineans to continue to live their passion to the full.
The term of the current Standards Committee is set for 30 November 2023. Guinean football is waiting.
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