Monday, September 24, 2012

Armadillo chosen as World Cup mascot

FIFA and the local organising committee (LOC) for the 2014 World Cup have announced that an armadillo will serve as the official mascot of Brazil’s tournament.
The three-banded armadillo, which is indigenous to Brazil, was chosen after FIFA and the LOC analysed 47 proposals created by six different Brazilian agencies. The designs were further analysed through extensive research carried out amongst its primary target audience, Brazilian children between the ages of five and 12, with the favourite being the armadillo, created by 100%Design. The Brazilian population will now have the chance to give the mascot a name by taking part in a public voting campaign which will run up until the middle of November. The three options are Amijubi – which is designed to represent friendliness and joy – and two names which link to the ecological message, Fuleco and Zuzeco.
The decision over the mascot’s name comes after FIFA, the LOC and Adidas recently announced that the first-ever public vote over the naming of the official match ball for the World Cup will see the 2014 edition entitled Brazuca. “I’m delighted to welcome such an important member to the 2014 team,” said LOC member Ronaldo. “The mascot will play a key ambassadorial role in the next two years. I’m sure he will inspire many young football fans in Brazil and all over the world with the great passion which he has for the sport and for his country.”
FIFA secretary general, Jerome Valcke, added: “The fact that the three-banded armadillo is a vulnerable species is very fitting. One of the key objectives through the 2014 FIFA World Cup is to use the event as a platform to communicate the importance of the environment and ecology. We are glad to be able to do so with the help of a mascot who I’m sure will be much-loved, not only in Brazil, but all over the world.”

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