TMCnet News
Tirupur units spin money to a T(Ecomonic Times, The (India) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jan. 27--COIMBATORE: India may not have made it big in soccer at the global level in the past, but, it is making its presence felt in the most popular sport in the world, albeit indirectly. Never mind the fact that the country has not played the world cup qualifiers in recent times. Millions of soccer fans across Europe would be wearing T-shirts with the 'Made in India' tagline when the latest edition of the world's grandest sporting event kicks off in Germany in June and during Bundesliga, the German soccer championship, courtesy Tirupur. By June, the country's knitwear capital would have sent over million T-shirts to Europe well in time for the soccer World Cup. Tirupur units are also catering to those who sell T-shirts exclusively for the Bundesliga. That's not all. Buying houses have already started doing sampling for sourcing T-shirts from Tirupur for the next biggest soccer event, Euro-2008, the European football championships to be held in Austria and Switzerland. While China has won a sizeable chunk of the orders for the world cup, Tirupur too, has found favour with European buying houses. According to industry players, garments made in Tirupur have found good acceptance in Europe. "Tirupur is a preferred sourcing destination for European buyers because the quality here is good," they point out. "We started our shipments in November and have so far sent 2.5 lakh pieces. By April, we will send 5 lakh pieces," says C Udhayasankar, MD of Sree Santosh Garments, an export house in Tirupur. Europe has been sourcing garments on a continuous basis for the soccer World Cup from Tirupur, says an official with Alster International, a liaison house. Garment units have already shipped more than 5 lakh pieces to various countries in Europe. Each piece would fetch anything between $4-5 depending on the quality, industry players say. Impressed by the work, European buyers now want to place fresh orders for the world cup, industry players say. "We have started discussions for further orders. They will confirm it by the end of this month," they add. "Initially, we were a little nervous. Once everything was in order, things started to fall in place," Mr Udhayasankar says. For the first time the export house is making 100 percent polyester garments for this special order. Exporters have also been extended a special invitation to watch one of the world cup matches. A majority of the T-shirts for the world cup is being sent to hosts Germany. So, when European fans cheer for their side, watch out. In all likelihood, they may be sporting a German logo on an Indian shirt. |