GURGAON, July 11: India's standing in the international soccer may not be very impressive but at least there is one segment of this sport where the country holds a virtual monopoly, that is in manufacturing football bladders.The Addidas balls used in the France '98 World Cup also bears testimony to the fact as they are fitted with latex bladders manufactured by a Gurgaon based industry, Enkay India rubber company.
Says D K Jain of the Enkay Group, ``The soccer balls used in the France '98 World Cup have been manufactured in Europe but the bladders used in them carry our trademark.''
The company has been making and supplying latex bladders to renowned sports companies like Mitres of England, Addidas of France, Beltona of Holland and Puma of Germany since 1964. A sister concern of the company, Cosco India Ltd has also been supplying soccer balls to these leading manufacturers. As the world watches in amazement the dribbling skills of Ronaldo and company, not many know that the `inflatable bag' (bladder),which is an essential part of the soccer ball, has been made in Gurgaon on the outskirts of Delhi.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
