As Harry Kane and his England teammates aim to hit the back of the net over the coming weeks at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, an east coast company will once again play a leading role.
A long-established, family-run firm in Lowestoft has scored as it supplies the first-ever FIFA Approved Goals for the global spectacle.
Having made the goals that the balls will be fired into, the UK’s leading manufacturer of sports equipment, Harrod Sport - part of the Harrod UK group of companies - will be supplying the goals to the eight stadiums that feature at the prestigious tournament.
From its base on the South Lowestoft industrial estate to Qatar, the firm's FIFA Approved, Stadium PRO Goal Post System will feature at all the venues hosting the matches.
Described as "the latest evolution in goalposts" and having been approved by FIFA, it means the "first certified goal in the world" will take centre stage at the 2022 World Cup.
The journey from Lowestoft to Qatar has seen the company deliver the Stadium Goals to all eight pitches, while they've also delivered more than 400 goals to the 32 high profile training venues across Qatar.
@harrodsport From Lowestoft to Qatar! 🇬🇧 🇶🇦 Our goal posts will take centre stage at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup ⚽️ Check out their journey! 🥅 #fyp #qatar #qatar2022 #worldcup #worldcup2022 #worldcupfever #foryoupage #viral #doha ♬ Three Lions - Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds & The Lightning Seeds
With Harrod Sport equipment being housed in 68 training pitches overall, it has seen a total of 15 40ft containers being shipped from their factory in Lowestoft to Qatar.
It means that at this winter's competition in Qatar, the FIFA Approved, Stadium PRO Goal Post System will be showcased at Al Bayt Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium - where England will play their opening fixture against Iran on November 21 - and Stadium 974.
It comes after the company has supplied some of the world's largest sporting events and stadiums from its town headquarters - with Harrod Sport recently showcasing its FIFA Approved Stadium Pro Goals throughout Euro 2022 as the Lionesses triumphed.
However, Harrod Sport has also previously provided equipment to the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup, UEFA EURO 2020, Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games, and more recently, UEFA Women’s EUROs England 2022, and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games among others.
'Immensely proud'
Director of sport sales and marketing Kevin Utton said: “Harrod Sport has supplied many major events, however we are elated to be able to add the prestigious FIFA World Cup to this list.
“We have worked closely with main contractors, distributors, FIFA and directly with competition delegates to supply football goals to all eight tournament stadiums.
"Overall, we have sent more than 400 football goals over to Qatar for the event.
"For the first time since the games began, this will be a FIFA World Cup where FIFA approved football goals are a main showcase of the venue.
"We are immensely proud to have provided the backdrop for the 32 countries and players competing, and we cannot wait for the first game to get under way.”
With 1.2 million expected to visit Qatar during the tournament, and a further five billion earmarked to tune in to the games over four weeks, a Harrod Sport spokesman added: "It’s no wonder this is a momentous occasion for this long-established, family-run company."
'The greatest show on earth'
Alan Ferguson, senior pitch management manager World Cups division at FIFA, said: “Working with Harrod Sport for the supply of football goals for the 2022 FIFA World Cup provides me and the entire grounds team with a tremendous amount of confidence as we move into tournament mode.
"Knowing that we have FIFA Approved products in place, which have been tried and tested at the very highest level, is exactly what we need for the greatest show on earth.”
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