India embraces the vuvuzela for CWG

Vuvuzela trumpets that became the droning soundtrack to the football World Cup in SA are to make a comeback for CWG.

NEW DEHLI: The vuvuzela trumpets that became the droning soundtrack to the football World Cup in South Africa are to make a comeback at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Vuvuzelas provoked strong emotions in South Africa, with some fans loving the distinctive low-pitched bellow while others - including many players, coaches and commentators - driven to distraction. About 10,000 plastic vuvuzela horns have already been sold in Delhi through official merchandising outlets at a cost of INR 250 ($5.5) each.

“Both Indian and foreigners have been showing a lot of interest, and sales are very good,” said Jitendra Dang who runs a stall at the athletes’ village. The horns have since been banned by UEFA, European football’s governing body, and by several English Premier League club grounds, as well as at many other sporting events.

Suresh Kumar, chairman of the Games’ official merchandising company, said 50,000 vuvuzelas had been imported from China and 10,000 had already been bought from stalls, shops and from mobile vans. Harris Mbulelo Majeke, South Africa’s High Commissioner in Delhi, showed locals last week how to blow the horn with a long, loud blast.

“We’re going to make a lot of noise and we’re going to have lots of fun,” he said. “We’re going to blast the stadiums with vuvuzelas.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2010.