S.League to use Mitre footballs
For the first time in 16 years, a new ball will feature in Singapore's top football league.
The S. League yesterday inked a five-year deal with Mitre, which will see the English sportswear and equipment brand become the competition's official football and product supplier.
Mikasa balls have been used in the S. League since 2000.
As part of the deal, Mitre will supply its Delta Hyperseam balls for all S.League, Singapore Cup, League Cup, Prime League, COE League, National Football League and Island Wide League games.
According to Alfred Toh, general manager of Teamwork Sports, Mitre's licensee for Singapore and Malaysia, more than 2,000 balls have been handed to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) for distribution.
"We started (using the balls) during the last AFF Suzuki Cup (in 2014), and we found that Asia needs a better ball," Toh told The New Paper. "We've trialled the ball.
"And talking to goalkeepers and players… I believe that all the goalkeepers in the S. League will be very sad, because (players) will score a lot of goals."
The Mitre ball will also be used in this year's Suzuki Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Myanmar and the Philippines, and Toh said a deal is already being negotiated for the next two editions of the tournament.
Mitre also supplies footballs to The Football League in England, from the Championship to League Two, and The Scottish Professional Football League.
Speaking to The New Paper, Tampines Rovers' star signing Jermaine Pennant said: "It's the same ball that we played with in England - in the FA Cup, Capital (One) Cup, in the Championship - so it's not new to me.
"I think it'll be good for the league, good for the players."
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