Daily Times

LAHORE: The 2018 FIFA World Cup trophy was unveiled here on Saturday after arriving in Pakistan for the first time in a chartered plane fromBangkok, Thailand. France’s World Cup-winning former footballer Christian Karembeu accompanied the trophy on the Pakistan leg of its world tour. Pakistan cricket legend Younus Khan, national men’s football team captain Kaleemullah Khan and women’s football team skipper Hajra Khan and several showbiz personalities were also present at the trophy’s unveiling ceremony. “For me, football is one of the most popular sports in the world,” said Younus. “It is a really big deal that the FIFA trophy is here.” The trophy was unveiled at the Pearl Continental Hotel. The FIFA World Cup trophy tour stop in Pakistan was organised by Coca-Cola. Pakistan is one of 51 countries that have never had the opportunity to host it before. The trophy came to Lahore as part of a journey that would see it travel to 51 countries and 91 cities across six different continents, before settling back in host-nation Russia in May. Hundreds of fans descended upon Pearl Continental Hotel to have a glimpse at the solid-gold trophy. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the viewing of the World Cup trophy up close and taking home a personalised photo.

* Details on Page A11

Published in Daily Times, February 4^th 2018.