GOVERNOR General Sir Frank Kabui will be the only Solomon Islander that has the permission to touch the FIFA World Cup ™ Trophy, when it graces Honiara tomorrow.
He will be joining other heads of states, and World Cup winning players in the over 50 countries that the trophy has visited and scheduled to visit, starting last September.
According to the organisers, this will be a life time opportunity for the Solomon Islands Governor General.
The FIFA World Cup Original Trophy is awarded to the winners if the FIFA World Cup ™ while remaining in FIFA’s possession.
It is made of solid gold, and weighs 6.142kg, created as a composition of two human figures holding the globe above them.
The Original Trophy’s current design was dated back to 1974.
AS one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the FIFA World Cup Trophy can only be touched and held by a selected group of people.
Those that were normally permitted to touch the solid gold trophy include former winners of the FIFA World Cup and Heads of States.
This is the reason why Sir Frank Kabui is being allowed to touch the iconic trophy.
Regulations state that the FIFA World Cup Trophy shall remain in FIFA’s possession and cannot be won outright; the team winning the FIFA World Cup retains the authentic Trophy temporarily and is then permanently awarded a replica.
The replica FIFA World Cup Trophy is gold plated, rather than solid gold, and engraved with the year, host country and the winner of the respective event.
A statement from the organisers said, the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is an extraordinary opportunity for people to take in a piece of football history and share with each other their passion for the sport.
The emotions of seeing the FIFA World Cup Original Trophy will stay in football fans’ memory for a very long time.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
