"World cup tour to motivate Tanzania's economy growth" - President

By Osoro Nyawangah, MWANZA Tanzania

President of Tanzania, Samia Hassan said the unveiling of the FIFA World Cup trophy in the country was a great motivation of economy growth urging Tanzanians to use the opportunity for national benefits.

The Head of State issued the statement at the state house, Dar es Salaam this Tuesday when she received the trophy accompanied in the country by Brazilian footballer, Juliano Belleti.

Belleti, 45, is a World Cup-winning defender who is remembered for scoring Barcelona's winning goal at the 2006 UEFA Champions League final.

“I urge Tanzanians to use opportunity not only to say good things about their country but also to selling products made in Tanzania,” the head of the state said before the 18-carat gold trophy was unveiled.

This is the fourth time Tanzania is hosting the coveted trophy, with earlier stops having been in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

Tanzania has never graced World Cup and the trophy is coming at a time when the country's football is not in a promising state.

With only a sitting president or a member of a World Cup-winning squad allowed to hold the trophy, it was kept in a glass casing with government officials and former Tanzania National team players led, Sunday Manara and Abdallah Kibadeni allowed to pose for a photo beside it at the State House.

With Tanzania being among nine African countries that will host the World Cup Trophy in this trip, the public will have the opportunity to view the 18-carat golden trophy at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday 1^st June.

Coca-Cola is inviting fans to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most recognised symbol in football and experience the real magic of the world’s largest and most anticipated single-sport event – the FIFA World Cup.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will stop in 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca-Cola and FIFA one step closer to the goal of visiting each of FIFA’s 211 member associations by 2030. For the first time ever, the tour will visit all 32 countries that qualified for the FIFA World Cup, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences. 

The FIFA World Cup is an iconic competition followed by billions around the world.

FIFA is committed to providing additional opportunities to have a wider positive social and environmental impact, as well as to setting new benchmarks in the delivery of worldwide sporting and exciting fan-centric programmes, such as the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, as an inspiration for all. - Africa