The FIFA World Cup trophy will land in Kenya on Thursday, May 26, as part of the African leg of the Coca-Cola tour.
The plane carrying the trophy which is 6.14 kg of 18 karat gold, will be received by various government officials and the Coca-Cola team at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport at 11 am and stay until May 27.
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| President Uhuru Kenyatta hoists the World Cup trophy in 2018 Image: Courtesy |
President Uhuru Kenyatta will officially receive the Cup and hoist it on behalf of Kenyans. Only former winners of the world cup and heads of state are allowed to touch the world’s most coveted sporting trophy.
The World Cup trophy, though estimated to be valued at over KSh2.3 billion ($20 million), is considered to be a priceless icon and one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world. It depicts two human figures holding the globe aloft. Its current design dates back to 1974.
“Our theme for this Trophy Tour is “Believing is Magic” which gives us an opportunity to share the joy of the season with fans far and wide, even if they do not make it to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup™. This is what our brand is all about – creating and sharing joy, and happiness and bringing people together to enjoy, refresh and share the real magical moments,” added Ms. Mallowah.
Coca-Cola will host a consumer and public viewing of the trophy at KICC all day where invited guests and the public will get the chance to view the World Cup trophy.
“The real magic of the FIFA World Cup exists with fans believing in their teams and showcasing their passion for the game. said Brad Ross, Vice‑President of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company.
The beverage company is giving away 3000 tickets to consumers who are participating in the ongoing FIFA World Cup Buy and Win promotion where they will get a VIP viewing experience of the trophy in Nairobi.
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| Fans will have to buy a 1.5litre or 2litres of Coke, Sprite, or Fanta at the entrance of KICC to gain entry. Image: Courtesy |
The trophy will tour four countries in Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.
This year’s edition of the tournament kicks off in Qatar on November 22 and will have a total of 32 nations participating. Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon, and Ghana will represent Africa in the quadrennial football showpiece.
