Ayumba Ayodi
11 November 2009
Nairobi — President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will deliver key note addresses upon receiving the iconic Fifa World Cup trophy Thursday morning at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The Coca-Cola branded chartered plane carrying the 18-carat gold and malachite base trophy is due to touch down at 11am from Rwanda to a colourful reception. The ceremony will also be attended by sports minister Hellen Sambili, Coca-Cola officials and Football Kenya Limited officials.
Speaking at a press conference at the Nyayo National Stadum on Wednesday, Coca-Cola senior franchise brand manager, Pamela Mutua, said an elaborate reception is in the offing for the trophy tour entourage.
From the airport, Mutua said the trophy will be taken to Coca-Cola headquarters in Upper Hill where it will stay overnight before it is presented to the press at a breakfast meeting at 7.30am.
A luncheon has been planned for the same day at Safari Park Hotel where Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka will be the chief guest. The national soccer team, Harambee Stars, have also been invited for the luncheon but Mutua said the team's management is yet to confirm their attendance.
Later in the evening, the trophy tour entourage will be treated to a dinner party with Coca-Cola consumers at the Norfork Hotel.
Saturday will be the big day for the fans at the Nyayo National Stadium where the trophy will be on display for the selected thousand fans, who will also watch a 3-D movie showcasing the best World Cup moments.
"Due to the high level of interest that the football icon has attracted, Coca-Cola is working closely with airport personnel and other authorities to ensure security and a smooth flow of the trophy's visit," said Mutua.
The trophy will leave the Nyayo National Stadium at 3.30pm for Uganda. Besides viewing the trophy, there will be lots of fun and a musical extravaganza where renowned artists led by New York-based Somali national, K'Naan, MTV Music Awards 2009 winner Nameless, Jua Kali and Historians will perform.
Kenya is the fifth nation in East and Central Africa and the 35th African nation to carouse with soccer's most valuable prize that is on a 70-day journey across 53 African nations.
Twenty-six African heads of state have touched the trophy and today will be President Mwai Kibaki's turn. The trophy, which is 36.8 centimetres high and weighs 6.175 kilogrammes, will travel 134,017 kilometres, the longest ever global tour.
The trophy tour is significant in drumming up support for the 2010 World Cup finals that will be held in Africa for the first time,
"We request fans to turn up in numbers and be orderly so as to have the full experience of the trophy,' said Mutua.
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