New Delhi, December 19: The new year will have a new look for Indian Football. The Blue Tigers will be wearing new kits, manufactured by the Indian Sportswear brand, Six5Six, starting with their campaign in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 in January 2019.
The launch of the Indian National Football Team’s new kit happened at a glittering function in the Capital earlier on Wednesday with seven players – Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Rowllin Borges, Shubhasish Bose and Pritam Kotal walking the ramp.
The kit sponsors, Six5Six have signed a 5-year deal with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the commercial partners of All India Football Federation (AIFF), and will be outfitting the Indian National Teams across all age groups and genders, as per the agreement.
And here they are...
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) December 19, 2018
The #BlueTigers 🐯 now have a new skin!#AsianDream #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/e8hUpwTFLg
The new jersey pays a homage to the Indian Football fans, who have affectionately been calling the Team “Blue Tigers.” The new kit has stylized tiger stripes design element emblazoned on the sleeves reverberating the Blue Tigers’ predatory instincts which has seen them rise from 173 to 97 in the FIFA rankings in the last 3 years.
The contract with the present kit sponsors Nike expired in 2018.
AIFF President Praful Patel in his statement said: “I welcome Six5Six on board as the official kit sponsors of the Blue Tigers. The new kits look awesome and I cannot wait to watch the Blue Tigers in their new skin for our biggest continental event – AFC Asian Cup 2019, and the International Friendly leading to the event. We look forward to a fruitful and long term relationship with Six5Six.”
Kushal Das in his statement said: “We are glad to have Six5Six as our official kit partners for the Blue Tigers. Its indeed a momentous occasion as the team heads on to participate in biggest continental tournament of Asia -- AFC Asian Cup 2019. We will ensure that the official merchandise will be available for all fans.”
Six5Six have partnered with Kerala Blasters and FC Pune City in the ongoing Hero Indian Super League.
Humble as ever! @chetrisunil11 heaps all praise on his teammates when asked about how he handles the pressure of being the star ⭐️player.#AsianDream #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/cavzjeKMhl
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) December 19, 2018
Iconic National Team striker Sunil Chhetri, highest Indian goal scorer in International Football highlighted the comfort element of the new kit. “There is a sense of freshness in the jersey and it’s always nice to have a kit we are comfortable in,” he said.
The Indian team will be seen donning its new colours for the first time in their friendly match against Oman, which will be played in Abu Dhabi on December 27.
India kick-off their campaign in the AFC Asian Cup against Thailand on January 6, 2019 with matches against hosts UAE and Bahrain slotted for January 10, and 14 respectively.
Source: AIFF