NAIROBI, Kenya, October 22 – A grand state reception awaits the FIFA World Cup trophy when it arrives on Kenyan shores on November 12.
The iconic trophy which has been lifted by football legends Pele, Maradona and Zinedine Zidane will be received by Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and presented to President Mwai Kibaki the following day at Safari Park Hotel.
Coca Cola communications manager Stella Kiguta and marketing manager Pamela Mutua on Thursday briefed Sports Minister Professor Hellen Sambili on the tour arrangements.
Six thousand fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the solid gold trophy on November 14 at Kasarani gymnasium.
However, they won’t have the chance to touch as that privilege is reserved only for the trophy’s security, heads of state, former and current world champions.
Sambili has appealed to football fans countrywide to observe discipline during the tour so that the country is banned in future fro welcoming the trophy.
The trophy’s odyssey kicked off from Zurich on September 21 before making its first stop over in Cairo, Egypt.
The trophy which is scheduled to pass through 86 countries is currently in Lagos and is set to arrive in Congo later this month.
The diadem will arrive in South Africa on December 2 where it will take centre stage in time for the FIFA World Cup draw in Cape Town on December 4.
