World Cup trophy finally arrives in Kenya

By Robin Toskin

The Fifa World Cup Trophy arrives in Nairobi tomorrow from Kigali, Rwanda, courtesy of Coca Cola for a two-day stop-over en route to South Africa where the 2010 finals will be held.

The iconic trophy measures 36.8cm (14.5 inches) high, and weighs 6.175kg and is made of solid, 18-carat gold.

It will arrive on Thursday aboard a chartered plane branded with Coca Cola Company colours, one of the longest-standing corporate partners of Fifa, with a formal association since 1974.

The Nairobi leg is part of a journey that will cover 134,017km (83,274 miles) and visit every nation in Africa, a move the world football governing body and sponsors say "is to give African fans the once-in-a-lifetime experience of having their picture taken with the trophy."

Pamela Mutua, Coca-Cola Senior Franchise Brand Manager for East and Central Africa, said all arrangements are set for Kenyan fans to interact with the trophy.

"Coca-Cola is excited that the real, solid-gold Fifa World Cup Trophy is making its way to Kenya and that football fans can interact with this symbol of football supremacy.

"This is a historic moment for the country and for our company and we are honoured to be connecting with its consumers and football lovers in this unique way," Mutua said on Tuesday.

Fans will be expected to have tickets won through promotional activities on the press, and they can also redeem tickets by buying Coca Cola products. Mutua said adequate security will be provided at the Nyayo National Stadium for all planning to attend.

Lifetime experience

"We request football fans attending our event to come excited but orderly for them to enjoy the experience of a lifetime," she said.

The Fifa World Cup will be held for the first time in Africa and the world governing body said the premier tournament should leave a lasting legacy on its people and football fans in general.

About the trophy

The Sculptor, Silvio Gazzaniga, was born in Milan, in 1921. He designed and created the trophy after its predecessor, the Jules Rimet Cup, was won outright by Brazil in 1970.

The winners retain it until the next tournament and are awarded a replica that is gold-plated, rather than solid gold.

The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite, while the bottom side bears the engraved year and name of each Fifa World Cup winner since 1974.

The little trophy had a hazardous existence. The Italian Vice-President of Fifa, Dr Ottorino Barassi, hid it in a shoe-box under his bed throughout the Second World War and saved it from falling into the hands of occupying troops.

In 1966, it disappeared while on display as part of the build-up to the World Cup in England and was recovered, buried under a tree, by a little dog called Pickles.

In 1983, it was stolen again in Rio de Janeiro, and apparently melted down by thieves.

The Brazilian Football Association, who had earned the right to keep it after having won it three times, ordered a replica to be made.