Egypt, Saudi Arabia coordinate on regional crises ahead of first Supreme Council meeting    FRA launches first register for tech-based risk assessment firms in non-banking finance    Egypt's Health Ministry, Philips to study local manufacturing of CT scan machines    African World Heritage Fund registers four new sites as Egypt hosts board meetings    Maduro faces New York court as world leaders demand explanation and Trump threatens strikes    Egypt identifies 80 measures to overhaul startup environment and boost investment    Turkish firm Eroglu Moda Tekstil to invest $5.6m in Egypt garment factory    EGX closes in red area on 5 Jan    Gold rises on Monday    Oil falls on Monday    Al-Sisi pledges full support for UN desertification chief in Cairo meeting    Al-Sisi highlights Egypt's sporting readiness during 2026 World Cup trophy tour    Egypt opens Braille-accessible library in Cairo under presidential directive    Abdelatty urges calm in Yemen in high-level calls with Turkey, Pakistan, Gulf states    Madbouly highlights "love and closeness" between Egyptians during Christmas visit    Egypt confirms safety of citizens in Venezuela after US strikes, capture of Maduro    From Niche to National Asset: Inside the Egyptian Golf Federation's Institutional Rebirth    5th-century BC industrial hub, Roman burials discovered in Egypt's West Delta    Egyptian-Italian team uncovers ancient workshops, Roman cemetery in Western Nile Delta    Egypt, Viatris sign MoU to expand presidential mental health initiative    Egypt's PM reviews rollout of second phase of universal health insurance scheme    Egypt sends medical convoy, supplies to Sudan to support healthcare sector    Egypt sends 15th urgent aid convoy to Gaza in cooperation with Catholic Relief Services    Al-Sisi: Egypt seeks binding Nile agreement with Ethiopia    Egyptian-built dam in Tanzania is model for Nile cooperation, says Foreign Minister    Al-Sisi affirms support for Sudan's sovereignty and calls for accountability over conflict crimes    Egypt flags red lines, urges Sudan unity, civilian protection    Egyptian Golf Federation appoints Stuart Clayton as technical director    4th Egyptian Women Summit kicks off with focus on STEM, AI    UNESCO adds Egyptian Koshari to intangible cultural heritage list    Egypt recovers two ancient artefacts from Belgium    Egypt warns of erratic Ethiopian dam operations after sharp swings in Blue Nile flows    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Costa Rica kitmaker Lotto thrives on World Cup upset
Costa Rica have been a World Cup revelation, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time and their success has proved an unexpected bonus for Lotto Sport Italia
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 01 - 07 - 2014

The private sportswear firm has seen sales of Costa Rica shirts rise 20-fold as the Ticos qualified top of Group D, ahead of three former champions, and then beat Greece on penalties to make the last eight.
It is a rare triumph for a smaller kitmaker, the likes of which have been increasingly squeezed out of the World Cup with major brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma paying millions to hog the stage at the world's most watched sporting event.
Lotto is struggling to keep up with demand and says an extra 50,000 shirts have been sold since Costa Rica won their opening game against Uruguay. At FIFA's online store the red home strip is no longer available in usual short sleeves.
"We are now having trouble organising some fast production to let everyone have this shirt that will become a memory of a historic achievement," Lotto President Andrea Tomat told Reuters in an interview.
Out of 32 teams at this World Cup, Costa Rica is one of just five not to have their shirts made by Nike, Adidas or Puma.
It is also the only team to make the last eight so far not sponsored by Adidas or Nike.
"We have far less resources than the major brands... so we have to work with someone that can be an underdog, someone that can come from behind and has something a little special," Tomat said.
With a population of less than five million, Costa Rica is one of the smallest countries left in the tournament and their progress has captured the world's imagination. Before the tournament the odds of Costa Rica winning the Cup were 4,000 to 1. They have now narrowed to 33-1, according to website Oddschecker.com.
Lotto began its relationship with Costa Rica in 1990, when the Ticos got through to the last 16 of the World Cup that year despite having a number of amateur players.
When asked where a Costa Rica shirt could still be bought, Tomat laughs.
"It will not be so easy now... I have even been told by my people that I can't give any away because they have very few."
(For more sports newsandupdates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebook atAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/105235.aspx

Clic here to read the story from its source.