Ayumba Ayodi
22 October 2009
Nairobi — Top government officials will be on hand to receive the Fifa World Cup Trophy when it arrives aboard a chartered flight at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on November 12.
The golden trophy will be paraded before Kenyan fans who will have a photo opportunity with it on November 14 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The trophy is on a tour of Africa courtesy of the Coca-Cola Company. Sports and Youth Affairs minister Hellen Sambili on Thursday met with Coca-Cola communications manager Stella Kiguta-Ng'ang'a and marketing manager Pamela Mutua to discuss details of the tour.
Sambili said the government is excited about the opportunity to have the trophy in Kenya.
Meanwhile, Lagos and Abuja welcomed the Fifa World Cup trophy entourage that made a two-day stopover on Wednesday.
The partying was punctuated by deep prayers as President Umaru Yar'Adua welcomed the trophy before expressing his hopes of being in South Africa to root for the Super Eagles.
Whether the mood and feelings be sustained if the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the World Cup finals is left to be known.
And will the power of prayer work for Nigeria?
"I look forward to being in South Africa to support the Super Eagles," Yar'Adua said after lifting and kissing the trophy. "I am sure that, by the grace of God, one day, this cup will come to Nigeria," he added.
"I would say I have been privileged and honoured, together with my country, at receiving and lifting the World Cup," Yar'Adua said.
The Super Eagles are currently at risk of failing to qualify for the tournament, which will be held in Africa for the first time.
Yar'Adua cashed on the occasion to assure Fifa and the international football community that Nigeria would host a hitch-free Under-17 World Cup, which kicks off tomorrow. "We will make it a memorable event," he said.
After Yar'Adua's prayer, the trophy was treated to elaborate state receptions that afforded Nigerians the opportunity of seeing the World Cup in true colour and shape.
Coca-Cola, the official sponsors of the Fifa World Cup, are taking the trophy on an 85-nation tour.
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