A leopard, named Zakumi, will be the official mascot of the World Cup which will be played in South Africa in 2010, as revealed in a South African television channel, when 626 days remaining for the start of the championship
The official mascot, a leopard, has been designed and produced exclusively in the host country, and given the name composed of "ZA", by South Africa, and "kumi", a translation of "ten" in many African languages.
Zakumi, inspired by their idols, has dyed his hair green for camouflage on the soccer field. The secretary general of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, has found that "Zakumi represents the people, geography and spirit South Africans." "And personifies the essence of the 2010 World Cup. We are confident that we enjoy in the preparations for and during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and the World Cup," he said.
The creator of the original design is Andries Odendaal of Cape Town. "Zakumi is a proud South African and therefore the ideal ambassador for the first African World Cup. Born in 1994, thus sharing birthday with the democracy of our country. He is young, full of energy, intelligent and ambitious, a real inspiration to young and old in all countries, "said Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the Local Organizing Committee.
The official mascot of the World Cup, has more than 40 years of life. The first, created in 1966 for the tournament in England, was named Willie. From there, pets have become increasingly important in the world thanks to its always positive and contagious attitude, which permeates the atmosphere of each competition in a unique way.