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WHAT is sneaker fever? It is a condition that comes on suddenly after hearing the news of any new release from the Air Jordan footwear range. Symptoms include sweating and an increase in heart rate, leaving you no choice but to tweet, post and voice your crazed anticipation of this coveted shoe. While out at Seef Mall Muharraq, GulfWeekly ran into Matt Fenn, operations manager of Foot Locker Middle East, who highlighted the latest ‘trainer mania’.
Thousands of sneaker fanatics from across the Middle East descended on Foot Locker stores across the region last weekend for the most anticipated event of the year: the launch of the 2015 edition of the most iconic athletic shoes of them all, the legendary Nike Air Jordan. Foot Locker calls it “The Weekend of Greatness”, as this year’s launch marks 30 years since the first Air Jordans hit the courts – literally changing the way people look at athletic shoes forever. The launch of the 2015 range of Air Jordan products includes some Limited Edition releases that are expected to draw intense interest from collectors and sneaker fans.
Middle Eastern sneaker fans are known to be particularly passionate, with some fans going so far as to fly to other countries to get their hands on their favourite styles first.
“The huge appeal of the Air Jordan range lies in its story that goes back 30 years, when Nike gave a young superstar his own signature line of sneakers and apparel. This line was created to be very different from Nike’s previous basketball efforts, and that tradition remains to this day,” the makers said.
While Foot Locker has emerged as one of the leading sneaker and athletic shoe specialists, its affinity for basketball shoes sets it apart, with a special ‘House of Hoops’ department that takes pride of place in every store.
