FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in the Solomons next week

Solomon Islanders will have an opportunity to see football’s most coveted prize when the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy comes to the country for the first time next Thursday.

The original trophy, which is kept at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, will be in Solomon Islands as part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour.

The tour, sponsored by Coca-Cola, kicked off in Russia last September and will bring the World Cup trophy to more than 50 countries across six continents in the nine months leading up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The tour’s stops in Oceania will include Tonga and Papua New Guinea, in addition to Solomon Islands.

The trophy will be part of a number of events while in Honiara, including an official visit by state dignitaries and by members of the Solomon Islands national football team, VIP guests and media.

General Manager for Coca-Cola Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Joyonto Chaudhury said as football is well recognized and loved in the region, they want to include Solomon Islands’ football fans by bringing the trophy to the country.

“In this fourth edition of FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, we want to share this unique experience to a broader audience, and in keeping with Coca-Cola and FIFA’s commitment to visit all FIFA member associations, we get to visit new and exciting places like the Solomon Islands,” he said.

Solomon Islands Football Federation President William Lai said the federation is honoured to be part of the effort to bring the trophy to the country.

“This is indeed a historic event for Solomon Islands to be able to host the visit of the FIFA World Cup trophy,” he said. “The trophy symbolizes the spirit of champions, spirit of not giving up and the spirit of collaboration.”

By Lowen Sei