REPLICA shirts have become a major player in the world of sport, with the world’s top brands competing to outdo each other in terms of comfort and style.
Think England and South Africa — they have Adidas, India have Nike, Australia Asics and the list is endless. I guarantee that a significant part of their income is from replica shirt sales.
Zimbabwe recently had a deal with local clothing giant Faithwear. They made quality kit and their jersey was very famous with fans around the country. Even the franchise kit was in demand although that never went on sale, officially.
This was a good move as it gave a local company a chance to compete at an international stage with the big boys. Eventually they were replaced by what seemed a deal to stop all deals with sporting giant Reebok. Reebok provided kit for the country and franchise teams for a little while.
Many people questioned Reeboks’ commitment to the deal; although they provided quality kit, the designs were nowhere near as captivating as the ones for instance they provided the Sri Lankan national side.
The replicas retailed at a pricey $20, but they still sold. The deal ended abruptly and there has never been a serious replacement found.
The national team has not been playing its best cricket in the recent past, but I am sure there are still some sportswear companies willing to provide kit and get exposure from the coverage on the international stage.
People are still willing to don national colours, but it must be something that people want to be seen wearing.
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How many Real Madrid and Manchester United shirts, be it knock-offs at times, do we see on our streets every day? The public always want to be associated with their sports teams and as the Reebok shirts showed, are willing to pay the price.
The unveiling of team jerseys around the world of international sport has become such a festive occasion, that even television rights are sold for the galas where super models are hired to launch the new jerseys.
Fans are always keen to see what the designers come up with next and in most cases order the new replica even before the team uses it for the first time.
Zimbabwe did it once at the awards dinner at a local hotel which coincided with the launch of franchise cricket.
This was the last time, however, it happened. Maybe it’s worth revisiting and if the right brand is found, the corporate will be willing to sponsor the launch event.
I will be the first to admit that a lot of concepts don’t work in developing countries. Maybe it could be in a country where cricket is still viewed as an elitist sport.
Whenever I watch cricket coverage on Channel 9 in Australia they are advertising some type of memorabilia for sale by Cricket Australia.
I know a lot of people willing to spend money to have some special moments that we have been blessed with in the past.
Imagine if Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) could put on sale the following matches or highlights on DVD, Chicken George destroys England, Zimbabwe’s first Test win against Pakistan, Henry Olonga’s winning final over against India in the 1999 World Cup, Tawanda Mupariwa’s 50 one-day international wickets, Heath Streak’s greatest Test moments, Douglas Marillier’s famous inning against India, the list is endless and piracy aside, ZC could raise some income.
Uncertainty still surrounds the Logan Cup matches scheduled for the weekend. The players have vowed not to play until their dues have been met.
It is highly improbable that the money for salaries will be available before the weekend, so we wait to see what will transpire.
On the Crease has it on good authority that the players finally met the board chair and the only significant change was that the players short-listed for the Twenty 20 (T20) World Cup have agreed to resume training, but for how long, is anyone’s guess.
Zimbabwean-born Gary Balance finally got his chance in England’s ill-fated tour Down Under. He made a pleasing 74, but his day turned upside down when he grassed a relatively simple chance from Aaron Finch on eight. Finch went on to score a 100 as Australia made light of the run chase. Australia leads the five-match series 1-0. Around the world New Zealand lead West Indies 1-0 in the T20 series with one game to go. Sri Lanka leads Pakistan 1-0 in the Test series with one match to play.
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