By Muhammad Luqman
The 18-Karat Gold Trophy of upcoming FIFA world cup will arrive in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on February 3 after visiting over a dozen cities in Europe and Asia over the last four months. The trophy started its journey from Russia in September last year where it stayed for 78 days, visiting 16 cities before moving on the international leg of the tour.
Lahore is one of the destinations of the trophy despite the fact that Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been suspended by the FIFA and Pakistan failed to qualify for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.
A delegation of 16 Pakistanis, including representatives from the media, Coca Cola and the national football team, has joined the tour in Chiang Mai town of Thailand to receive the trophy and bring it to Lahore. The trophy will remain in Pakistan for one day and will be shown to the media and thousands of football fans. According to FIFA spokesman, Former French midfielder Christian Karembeu will join the Pakistan stop of the 2018 FIFA World Cup trophy at Lahore. Afterwards, the trophy will leave for Kazakhstan on February 4.
The 2018 World Cup will be played in Russia from June 14 to July 15. A total of 32 teams will contest to become the football’s world champions. Pakistan failed to edge past pre-qualifiers for the event. However, the fans in Pakistan will still have an opportunity to have a glimpse of glittering trophy.
The trophy made of gold, weighs around 6.142 Kg. 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 and head of state personalities.
