ISLAMABAD – The FIFA World Cup trophy will touch down in Pakistan onSaturday on its global journey ahead of the World Cup 2018 in Russia. Thetrophy will make a stop in Lahore on the CocaCola FIFA World Cup Trophytour, visiting no less than 91 cities across 51 countries and sixcontinents before settling back in host-nation Russia in May.
Former French World Cup winner Christian Karembeu will join former Pakistancricket captain Younis Khan, singers Quratulain Baloch, Momina Mustehsan,actor Maya Ali and other top local figures on a special chartered flight tobring the trophy to Pakistan.
The trophy will remain in Lahore for a day, where it will be put on publicdisplay at a park during an ongoing festival. The FIFA World Cup trophy,introduced in 1974, is made of 18 karat gold with a malachite base, andstands 36.8 centimetres high and weighs 6.1 kilograms. The trophy depictstwo human figures holding up the earth. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tourkicked off in September 2017 in Russia.
During its journey across six continents, the trophy will travel 126,000kilometres in the months leading up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The global phase of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour kicked off in London,United Kingdom on January 22. The trophy will finish its world tour inTokyo, Japan on April 30. In May 2018 the trophy will return to Russia fora final tour of the host country. The FIFA World Cup will run from June 14to July 15, 2018.
A proud football fan, former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan says heis “honoured” to be part of the delegation bringing the FIFA World Cuptrophy to Pakistan on its world tour. Speaking to media in Chiang Mai,Thailand, from where the legendary batsman will accompany the trophy toPakistan, Younis shared his excitement for the special occasion.
“It is an honour for me to be part of the delegation chosen to accompanythe FIFA World Cup trophy to Pakistan,” he said, ahead of the trophy’sstopover in Lahore on Saturday. “It is a big [feat] for the trophy to cometo Pakistan,” Younis said, adding that he has “always been a fan offootball”.
The cricketer will be joining singers Quratulain Baloch, Momina Mustehsan,actor Maya Ali and other top figures on a special chartered flight to bringthe trophy to Pakistan tomorrow. Former French World Cup winner ChristianKarembeu will also be accompanying the delegation. The trophy will remainin Lahore for a day, where it will be put on public display at a parkduring an ongoing festival.
Asked about which team has his support, Younis said he will be cheering forArgentina. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour kicked off in September 2017 inRussia.
During its journey across six continents, the trophy will visit no lessthan 91 cities across 51 countries, travelling 126,000 kilometres beforesettling back in host-nation Russia in May.—AFP