p14,15,16 Trade talk 11/17/08 11:08 AM Page 16
TRADE TALK - Sports Retail
SGB
Sports and Outdoor
www.sgb-sports.com
minority these days) and seen regularly on ITV, BSkyB, technical specifications of the top
etc. balls are truly outstanding. Molten
Phewwww. No wonder I suggested that this SGB make the official ball for mini-
edition be renamed ‘The Bob Hope Story’. basketball for every Primary school
Now happily married to Penelope, brought together in England, ditto for the England
through a mutual interest in sponsorships, he with sport Schools BB Association and for the
and she with arts, they ‘clicked’ despite, on being taken to professional BB league where Bob
his first ballet production, asking at the interval if this had coached. Add to that, every GB
was ‘half-time’. One of many coincidences, if there are team. Bob was General Manager of
such things, with which I was enthralled, was how a GB Basketball from 1980-85. It is
Chinese fortune teller in a hotel in Singapore, where he the Molten Ball that is used by the
was covering the World Water Ski championships , told Wheelchair BBA, and the London
them that they would get married. Obvious as that may Olympics. It was the natural choice
have been what was surely remarkable and beyond for the Olympics since 1984 (LA)
logical explanation was the further prophesy that they and thereafter. It will be used in
would have twins, not just twins, but twin boys. In 1997, 2012 and even though no-one yet
four years after their wedding, Arran and Oliver were knows where the 2016 games will
born. take place, the Molten Basketball is
Bob's ambition to fly was satisfied after training at already assured of a place there.
RAF Manston and he was awarded his ‘wings’ after eight There is a lot to absorb about
months, later buying a twin-engined Piper Seneca six- the innovations applied to the
seater which he flew all over Europe attending meetings, Molten footballs. But when it
once managing Rotterdam, Brussels and Paris and still comes to absorption, that is one
arriving home for dinner. An invitation to a FIFA dinner important factor that is almost
that brought him to the latest chapter in his life (and eliminated thanks to their smooth
believe me, only limited space has meant leaving out seamless surface. Not only does this
several other equally fascinating chapters), as he was sat mean that, even in damp muddy
down next to one Kiyo Tamiaki, President of the family conditions, 80 per cent of the
business Molten Corporation whose HQ is in Hiroshima. moisture is immediately shed, its
Said Kiyo to Bob: “We do not have any representation in shape is not simply more precise in the first place and is introduce the Molten brand to a new generation as well
the UK.” To which Bob replied: “Well, now you do!” And maintained, and ball control is considerably enhanced. as improving many a retailer’s bottom line.
they did. And they do. And what a product. Molten’s The smooth seamless surface of the ‘ACENTEC’ Just one day after meeting Bob, I came across a piece in
brand statement is just four words: ‘For the real game'. To technology of the match footballs is a step ahead at least a local paper about a charity basketball match which had
say they are ‘big in basketball’ is very much an equal to the progress made when heavy leather-strung helped to raise more than £4000 for injured soldiers in
understatement. There are over 20 different basketballs in balls gave way to what is the norm today. Firstly, the Afghanistan. The smiling teams in their wheelchairs
the range. Likewise footballs and a collection too of bladder has just two pieces rather than the traditional raised one’s spirit on a rainy afternoon. But it was the
volleyballs, netballs, water polo and handballs. And it four, so there is only one ‘joint line’ and little chance of Molten ball, centre of the picture, that was prominent
isn’t simply a question of different cosmetics. The air leaking. And just in case you may think that I am with its unique design. This was a reminder that
blind to the fact that this same science has been applied important as making the pennies may be, there really is
to adidas match balls, you may be sure that this is no more to life and that we in the sports trade can be proud
coincidence. of the part that we so often play in the process of helping
The Molten technique applied to their basketballs even others. Bob believes that the 2012 Olympics will be a
allowed Yours Truly with his somewhat small chubby great opportunity not simply for the participants but for
hands, to get an exceptionally good grip. The ‘modern’ everyone involved. He described the event as “the best
game was invented by one Doctor James Naismith in happening ever” I left him believing that this might well
1891, the name arising from the orange baskets into be the best chance ever for the UK Sports retailer, leading
which the ball had to be shot. Quite what ‘ealth and up to, during, and afterwards. I also believe that Molten’s
safetee’ would have said about the necessity of having to balls could play a significant role in that chance.
retrieve the ball with a ladder, the mind boggles at the I said farewell to Bob. I went home with Hope.
thought. Molten’s twelve panel I.B.F.A. approved ball has
an exclusive worldwide patent. The symbol on the ball
incorporates the Olympic flame. As we discussed this
Jack welcomes your comments and is always glad to
design, power, which had been lost from the time we met,
discuss your ideas, problems and concerns, either
was magically restored, symbolic, I thought, of Bob’s own
person to person, or in print.
ability to light up and seize every opportunity. There are, If there is anyone you would like him to meet or any
he reminded me, just three ball sports that one can play
product to write about please contact
on one’s own, if not competitively then at least practising
The Editor or Jack (writeawayjack@aol.com).
and having fun. I have listed these upside down at the
His articles do not necessarily reflect the views of
bottom of this article, in case you might wish to exercise
the publishers and are not ‘advertorials’. They are
your powers of thought. Certainly all three will make
not seen prior to publication by any person or firm to
ideal Christmas presents and the latter two may
whom they may refer.
l l a b t e k s a B – l l a b t o o F – f l o G
16 NOVEMBER 2008
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