LAHORE: A solid 18-carat gold FIFA World Cup Trophy with a weight of around 6.142 kgs Saturday landed in the historic city of Lahore and was later unveiled at a local hotel.
French FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu, who accompanied the trophy on a chartered plane from Thailand, said he was happy to be sharing in the historic stopover of the FIFA World Cup trophy in Pakistan.
“Assalam-o-Alaikum!” exclaimed Karembeu, who played for France and Real Madrid in a glittering playing career greeted the gathered audience. “I am extremely happy to be here in Lahore. Pakistan also has football-loving folks.
“It is a great honour for Pakistan that the FIFA trophy is here for the first time. “We can make our future better through football.” Karembeu said the day marks a big day for football in Pakistan. “It’s a big day for football in Pakistan. I am here in Pakistan to prove that football unites the world,” said the former star, as he shared his excitement about being here for the special occasion. Karembeu said he was pleased to find out La Liga matches are aired live on channels in Pakistan. He also expressed hope that France will win the World Cup this year, after a gap of 20 years.
National men’s football team captain Kaleemullah Khan and women’s football team skipper Hajra were also present at the trophy’s unveiling ceremony in Lahore.
Provincial ministers Jahangir Khanzada and Nadeem Kamran, FIFA officials and prominent business men were also present on the occasion. “For me, football is one of the most popular sports in the world,” said Younis. “It is a really big deal that the FIFA trophy is here.”
The trophy remained in Lahore for a day, and was put on display at a park of a private housing society. The trophy returned back to Bangkok at 12pm. Traditionally, the players receive a gold-plated trophy on winning the FIFA World Cup, while this iconic Trophy can only be lifted by the winners & head of state personalities. But FIFA sent it in September last to a world journey to cover six continents and visiting 51 countries with Pakistan being the ninth in its route back to Russia where the World Cup is to take place in August this year, where 32 teams will battle it out to claim the iconic trophy. Karembeu is travelling to various destinations along with the trophy and former Pakistan Test captain Younis Khan along with singers Quratulain Baloch and Momina Mustehsan brought it to Lahore from Thailand on a special chartered plane.
Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said the arrival of FIFA 2018 World Cup Trophy in Pakistan is just like a breath of fresh air. It’s a great encouragement for our young talented football players; he said this while addressing the unveiling ceremony of FIFA 2018 World Cup Trophy at a local hotel on Saturday. Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan was also present at the ceremony. Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said Pakistan has ruled in the games of cricket, squash, hockey and snooker in the past and Pakistan can earn a respectable place in football world through hard work. “Punjab govt has built 40 stadiums in the province which are laced with the facility of football,” he added.
He urged the young football players of the province to come and utilize these sporting facilities and win laurels for the motherland in international sports events.
Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said FIFA World Cup is a king of cups in the world of sports.
from The News International - Sports
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