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#476851 11/08/13 03:44 AM
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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We've heard of VIP's, but our next story is about a "V-I-T", a very important trophy, specifically, the FIFA World Cup Trophy. It is in Belize tonight for the first time, and it will be the centrepiece of an A List Reception at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, where lucky Belizean fans will get an opportunity to pose for photograph along with it.

Arguably the most prized trophy in all of sports, it's on a world tour sponsored by Coca Cola. It touched down in country this morning, and 7News was there to observe the curious fanfare which surrounded it. Daniel Ortiz reports:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
This morning, the chartered, and brilliantly coloured aircraft carrying the World Cup trophy pulled into the PGIA courtesy of FIFA and Coca Cola.

With the amount of red tape and cordoned access, one would think that it was a visiting head of state had landed. But nothing of the sort; it was an inanimate object which is precious, and has priceless value all around the world because it represents the pinnacle of football stardom.

So, even though it wasn't a VIP coming in, the trophy and its crew were greeted by the Minister of Sports, the President of the FFB, the Brazilian Chief of Missions, and the President and CEO of Bowen and Bowen, the local coca cola company.

As a reward for complying with all the security concerns, the crew in charge of the trophy allowed us up-close access for a few minutes.

Pekka Odriolozo - Representative, FIFA
"This is an 18 Karat solid gold trophy and it weighs over 6 kilograms. Its 36.8 centimeters high and this is the original World Cup Trophy. It was design in the early 1970s after Brazil won the Jules Rimet Trophy which was the previous trophy of the World Cup for the third time in 1970."

Ruperto Vicente, President, FFB
"FIFA is very much protective of its trophy. Its pre gold and certainly it is not anyone that can touch it. Even at the end of a tournament only the captain of a team is allowed to lift and as well tbe head of state and that show the significance and the importance of that trophy."

So, that brings us to the reason why it is here:

Brad Ross, Representative - Coca Cola International
"This is the longest journey that the FIFA World Cup Trophy have even been on. We are going to be going to 90 countries around the world. We launched it in the 12th September in the host country of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and over the next 9 months we will be taking this trophy to 90 countries which is 149 thousand kilometer journey which is around three and a half times around the circumference of the earth."

Pekka Odriolozo - Representative, FIFA
"What we intended to do when we launched this World Cup Trophy in 2006 the idea was to bring the most universal sports, the biggest sporting event, the one that all kids all around the world one day dream and to lift the World Cup Trophy - to bring it to the world to share the passion and to make everybody a little bit a part of that World Cup and to dream and that's what we've seen. You feel the excitement and you start to dream about 2022 qualifying to the final competition maybe winning one day and why not."

This is the first time that Belize has gotten a chance to get up close to it.

Brad Ross, Representative - Coca Cola International
"It is important for us to be able to that and at the same time we want to give it as many countries to yet to have the opportunity to host the country, Belize being one of them with another 52 countries around the world - will be the first time that those countries have had the opportunity to have the trophy on their soil."

Ruperto Vicente, President, FFB
"This is the most sought trophy in the world and award in any sporting activity. We are happy that we are able to bring this trophy to Belize and create a kind of excitement for our sports. It is a timely visit, it is a timely thing for us as we are developing our sports here in Belize. Football is on the rise and football is about to achieve great things in this country."

Michael Bowen - CEO/President, Bowen & Bowen
"I am much honored to host the FIFA World Cup in Belize. I am very excited that the cup is here and I can speak for all Belizeans to share their excitement. Up until last night we were still receiving phone calls on how to get a ticket to take pictures with the World Cup. These are parents talking on behalf of their children who want to see the cup and be closer to it, but I know, I have a sneaky suspicion that these parents are actually calling for themselves."

Hon. Herman Longsworth - Minister of State/Sports
"On behalf of the Government and the people of Belize, how very privilege we are. Thank you very much to Coca Cola and to FIFA for having put us on the list of countries that this gem for sports is going to visit."

The leader of the Football community at home was certainly inspired by its presence:

Ruperto Vicente, President, FFB
"It came from El Salvador to here and from here it goes to Israel. It is to unite the world and it is to unite people and to bring peace to all. That's what the football trophy and the World Cup Trophy does to our universe."

The trophy, which has an estimated value of 20 million dollars - arrived in Belize with logistics planned by Bowen and Bowen. Right now, it sits in the Baymen's Tavern garden area of the Radisson Fort George. Governor General Sir Colville Young, as head of state, will be the only one allowed to touch the trophy, during an official ceremony.

Channel 7


Check out the plane it flew in on!!!



Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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Lucky Scoop!!! She got to see it!

http://www.sanpedroscoop.com/2013/1...d-belize-real-fifa-world-cup-trophy.html

Killer photo(s) of the trophy

Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun


Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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Island Films has a great video out about the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, and its time here in Belize. It's worth a watch, and you'll catch yourself smiling.

from Bowen & Bowen, Ltd.

FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour - Belize

The FIFA World Cup Trophy made its way to Belize and lucky fans from all over the country had the opportunity to visit and get their photo taken with the trophy. We had delegates, politicians, football players from the National Team and of course the fans. Bowen & Bowen along with Coca-Cola Belize are happy to be part of this history making event in Belize.

Produced by Joanna Popik and Ben Popik of Island Films.



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