NAIROBI, Kenya
President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged local footballers to be inspired by the tour of the World Cup trophy in the country and strive to ensure the national teams soar high one day.
The Head of State said that he
hopes Harambee Stars will be playing at the top level the next time the coveted
trophy tours Kenya.
"It is a moment of honour
for Kenya to officially receive the Fifa World Cup trophy today on behalf of
the nation," said President Kenyatta.
"To recognise the
presence of the World Cup trophy for the fourth time is without a doubt an inspiration
to our football fraternity, giving them an objective to achieve greater
football success, so that football top prize may one day be added to Kenya's
trophy collection."
"It is our earnest prayer
that the next time the trophy arrives in Kenya, it will be held aloft by our
Harambee Stars."
He spoke at State House in
Nairobi where he received the 18-carat golden trophy, which
is considered the most expensive and significant in modern.
The trophy is on a two-day
tour in the country.
It arrived in the country
a few minutes past noon accompanied by Brazilian legend Juliano Belleti.
With only a sitting president
or a member of a World Cup-winning squad allowed to hold the trophy, it was only
the head of State and Belleti who held the trophy at State House.
Belleti, 45, is a World
Cup-winning defender who is remembered for scoring Barcelona's winning goal at
the 2006 Uefa Champions League final.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for
Sports Amina Mohamed led government officials, including Tourism and
Industrialisation CSs Najib Balala and Betty Maina respectively, in receiving
the trophy at JKIA.
Kenya has never graced World
Cup and the trophy is coming at a time when the country's football is in
quagmire. Fifa has suspended Kenya over government interference.
The public will Friday have
the opportunity to view the trophy at Kenya International Convention Centre. -
Nation
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