Sports wear is the in-thing
Jun 08, 2006
<br>Of late, everyone seems to be talking about football. Conside-ring that the highly coveted World Cup starts today, bosses are loathing the period while some of their staff are contemplating getting leave, especially in the second half of the tournament, from late June to early July.
By Roger Mugisha
Of late, everyone seems to be talking about football. Conside-ring that the highly coveted World Cup starts today, bosses are loathing the period while some of their staff are contemplating getting leave, especially in the second half of the tournament, from late June to early July.
Several dealers in sports equipment are cashing in on products that are connected to people’s favourite teams and players. David Katumwa, the proprietor of Katumwa Sports Centre, says football is so popular around the world that fans want to have every football-related item they can get their hands on.
“Items that remotely remind fans of a team, a particular player and sometimes a country coach, are quickly being grabbed. What is even more interesting is that fans don’t care about the amount of money they pay to acquire the items; they just want to have them. The soccer madness has even gone to a higher level, where stores in the UK and Germany have made pool tables designed in a country’s colours with the cue balls as players,†Katumwa says.
The most sought-after item on the market is the jersey. Jerseys come in many countries’ colours and spot the name of their key players. Other highly demanded items that come complete with team logos include tracksuits, watches, clocks and scarves.
“Jerseys cost between sh50,000 and sh90,000. Baseball caps cost sh20,000 and clocks cost sh30,000. World Cup boots designed by Adidas and Nike and endorsed by players Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and David Beckham cost sh100,000 and they are on high demand. Also gaining popularity are the World Cup dummy trophies that cost sh50,000,†Katumwa says.
At Garage Sports Centre in Avemar Shopping Arcade on Luwum Street, one will find football boots that come in various colours (red, blue, silver, green), inflatable World Cup gloves and bags.
“We are also catering for female football lovers. For them, we have fitting jerseys that will enhance their bodies and sense of style. For the men, we have both the long and short sleeved shirts that cost between sh40,000 and sh80,000 depending on the popularity of the player. Other smaller items that the fans ask for include card-holders, mugs and money purses,†said Eric Kato, the manager.
Of late, everyone seems to be talking about football. Conside-ring that the highly coveted World Cup starts today, bosses are loathing the period while some of their staff are contemplating getting leave, especially in the second half of the tournament, from late June to early July.
Several dealers in sports equipment are cashing in on products that are connected to people’s favourite teams and players. David Katumwa, the proprietor of Katumwa Sports Centre, says football is so popular around the world that fans want to have every football-related item they can get their hands on.
“Items that remotely remind fans of a team, a particular player and sometimes a country coach, are quickly being grabbed. What is even more interesting is that fans don’t care about the amount of money they pay to acquire the items; they just want to have them. The soccer madness has even gone to a higher level, where stores in the UK and Germany have made pool tables designed in a country’s colours with the cue balls as players,†Katumwa says.
The most sought-after item on the market is the jersey. Jerseys come in many countries’ colours and spot the name of their key players. Other highly demanded items that come complete with team logos include tracksuits, watches, clocks and scarves.
“Jerseys cost between sh50,000 and sh90,000. Baseball caps cost sh20,000 and clocks cost sh30,000. World Cup boots designed by Adidas and Nike and endorsed by players Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and David Beckham cost sh100,000 and they are on high demand. Also gaining popularity are the World Cup dummy trophies that cost sh50,000,†Katumwa says.
At Garage Sports Centre in Avemar Shopping Arcade on Luwum Street, one will find football boots that come in various colours (red, blue, silver, green), inflatable World Cup gloves and bags.
“We are also catering for female football lovers. For them, we have fitting jerseys that will enhance their bodies and sense of style. For the men, we have both the long and short sleeved shirts that cost between sh40,000 and sh80,000 depending on the popularity of the player. Other smaller items that the fans ask for include card-holders, mugs and money purses,†said Eric Kato, the manager.