Saturday Nov 21, 2009

The iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy visited Asmara on 16 November 2009. The trophy onboard in a chartered plane with the sponsoring company’s name in it, landed at the tarmac of Asmara International Airport at 1:50 PM. Joining the entourage, 24 in total, were FIFA and the Coca-Cola Company delegations headed by Mr. Hedi Hemal representative of FIFA. At the scene, the entourage was greeted by ministers, army commanders, members of the sport community, invited guests and fans.   The 18-carat solid-gold and malachite base trophy weighing 6.2kg had been flown from Sudan to Eritrea and later headed for Djibouti.

The entourage was welcomed by Major General Romodan Osman Awliyay, Commissioner of the Eritrean Sport Commission. Commissioner Romodan after explaining the Eritrean Government’s tireless efforts in advancing sport in the country, he said that having the World Cup here in Eritrea as a guest is an honor to the Eritrean people.

“This day will remain a historic day in the Eritrean foot ball history,” said Mr. Tesfai Ghebreyesus, President of the Eritrean Foot Ball Federation. Its rare close up view leaves lasting memory to those involved in sport and inspire them, especially the young to better excel on their endeavors on it, added Mr. Tesfai.

Today marks an important moment in time for Eritrea as the country hosts the real, solid gold FIFA World Cup for the first time. This opportunity has been made available courtesy of an exclusive and enduring partnership between FIFA and Coca Cola, said Mr. Abdirahim Ahmed, Manager for Coca Cola East and Central Africa.

The four-month tour, which started in Egypt on September 24, will end in Cape Town, South Africa on December 3.

The first Eritrean soccer team, Ardita was established in 1936, six years after the first World Cup matches in Uruguay.  Its formation was followed by great achievements of the Eritrean players in 1950^th and 1960^th. One of the solid achievements recorded in history include,   Ethiopia’s victory of the third CAF Cup in 1962. The Ethiopian team was strengthened by nine permanent Eritrean players.

The team also took part in FIFA World Cup qualifying competition hosted in Chile in 1962.

This day might have started as any other ordinary calendar date for most Eritreans, but it will remain far entrenched in the hearts of those involving in the sport, says Mr. Italo Vassalo, one of the nine players who was playing along with his brother Luchiano Vassalo.

“This event is really touching and moving moment for me,” he added.

Zeresenai Taddese, the first Eritrean Olympian athlete says, such an event would encourage Eritrean sportsmen, especially those that are registering good achievements in football. For instance Warsai football team, posing a picture with the FIFA World Cup, would really encourage them to strengthen their efforts, he explained. The team is a teenage football team that has registered great victory in Gothia Cup which was held in Norway last summer.

“It has certainly inspired me. It makes you feel like walking onto the pitch immediately and try to play your way to the tournament,” Brhane Araia (Breta), Eritrean’s national team long standing goalkeeper, stated after a close view of the golden trophy.The FIFA World Cup began its tour from Egypt and already, the trophy has passed through 30 countries of our continent’s 52 countries. Currently in Tanzania, the trophy initially touched down in Cairo, Egypt, after the official kick-off by FIFA and Coca-Cola officials from Zurich, Switzerland, on September 21.

On December 3, the first leg of the tour draws to a close in Cape Town, South Africa, near the time of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals draw.
The second leg of the FIFA World Cup trophy tour by Coca-Cola will see the trophy visit additional countries across the globe from January to April 2010.

Facts about the World Cup Tour

Ø       The tour starts off in Cairo, Egypt on September 24th, 2009 before working its way around the African continent and down to Cape Town, South Africa by December 3rd, 2009. On the tour, only heads of State allowed to lift the trophy.

From September 2009 to May 2010 the World Cup trophy will tour 86 countries, covering 134,017 kilometers (83,274 miles) more than three times of Earth circumference.

Ø       The winning country lifts the trophy but takes home a duplicate trophy for security reasons.

Ø       The authentic, FIFA World Cup trophy is presented to the winning team on the field of play at each tournament.  The iconic trophy measures 36.8 centimeters (14.5 inches) high, weighs in at 6,175 grams (13.61 pounds) and is made of solid, 18-carat gold.  The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite, while the bottom side of the Trophy bears the engraved year and name of each FIFA World Cup winner since 1974.

Ø       Over 3.7 billion people are expected to watch the tournament in South Africa

Ø       The 2009/10 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour draws on the huge success of the first global Trophy Tour held in 2006.  In 2006, the tour visited 31 cities in 29 countries, covering 102,570 kilometers (63,734 miles) with millions of fans around the world enjoying the chance to have a closer look at football’s most famous prize

Ø       Finally, the trophy gets back to South Africa on May 4th, where it will sit and wait for a team captain to lift it on July 11th, 2010 in Johannesburg.

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