World Cup arrives

By ISSAC LIRI
FORMER French national football representative and New Caledonian Christian Karembeu, who accompanied the World Cup on its visit to Port Moresby yesterday, says he is pleased to be back in Melanesia bringing the iconic sports silverware to his home region. “I am delighted to be here in PNG with the Fifa World Cup trophy tour,” Karembeu, who was part of the France team that won the World Cup in 1998, said.
“I come from this region and I am a Melanesian and it’s really great to come back after a long journey.
“Hosting the trophy today in PNG, it will inspire many of our kids or the youth and I hope that bringing the trophy will help PNGFA to implement more opportunities for the grassroots to grow football here in the Pacific.
“Today is a special day and I hope that the hosting of the trophy here will make good memories because we have many football fans in the Pacific,” the former Real Madrid and Middlesbrough player said.
The World Cup trophy arrived at the Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby and was welcomed by sponsors Coca-Cola PNG and the PNG Football Association.
Gathered outside the terminal was a small crowd who came to catch a glimpse of the trophy which was later taken to the Laguna Hotel by police escort.
Coca-Cola PNG general manager Joyonto Chaudhury said the arrival of the trophy had brought excitement to the country’s soccer fraternity
“Coca-Cola has been embraced by this beautiful country and it’s like a social currency and this is our way of bringing excitement, bringing the nation onto the world stage,” Chaudhury said.
“The trophy has been travelling around 21 countries across 91 cities and PNG is the eighth country to be visited by the World Cup trophy and it’s the first time that this has happened in PNG’s history.”
At the Laguna hotel the trophy was unveiled and welcomed by Sports vice-minister Wesley Raminai on behalf of the PNG Government.
After spending the night in Port Moresby the trophy leaves for Honiara, Solomon Islands today.