Posted on 09/22/2008 7:43:49 PM PDT by goldstategop
A cuddly leopard with a green afro has been unveiled as the mascot of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Zakumi World Cup 2010 Mascot
The character, called Zakumi, has been given his own biography and name to reflect the country's aims and hopes.
Organisers said the character was 'born' on 16 June, 1994 - the year in which apartheid ended.
The date is celebrated as Youth Day to mark the 1976 Soweto uprising when young protesters struck a blow against white rule.
At the mascot's introduction at a state TV studio, a performer in a Zakumi costume kicked around a football with Mark Fish, who helped lead South Africa to the African Cup of Nations title in 1996.
The first two letters of Zakumi are the country's initials in Afrikaans - one of South Africa's 11 official languages.
'Kumi' means 10 - for the year of the tournament - in many African languages.
Tim Modise, spokesman for the South African organising committee, said Zakumi also can be understood as "Come here" in southern African languages.
606: DEBATE Have your say on South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup
Jerome Valcke, secretary of football governing body Fifa, said: "Zakumi represents the people, geography and spirit of South Africa.
"We are certain we will have a lot of fun with him in the lead-up to and during the Fifa Confederations Cup and the World Cup."
Andries Odendaal, from Cape Town, came up with the design - the animal's green hair is designed to provide 'camouflage' on a football pitch.
Fifa first introduced mascots in 1966 with World Cup Willie - a Union Jack-clad English Lion.
Others included the orange-shaped Naranjito in Spain in 1982, the 'ciao' stick-figure in Italian colours in 1990 and Footix, a French cockerel, in 1998.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Leopard Mascot Takes World Cup Spotlight
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
dennis rodman mascot? ;)
I like the Cheetos Leopard better.
Very evil... I need to light a candle for may damaged soul after viewing.
at least its not a pic of helen thomas... i think.
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