The World Cup champions' trophy, for which 32 countries will
start fighting late next month, arrived here Saturday from Kolkata
ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea/Japan.
A replica of the original solid-gold FIFA World Cup was
received by the State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman
and officials of the Bangladesh Football federation (BFF) at the
Zia International airport.
About 12,000 school students welcomed the trophy from both
sides of the road from airport to the capital.
The BFF and the World Cup co-sponsors Gillette have taken
programme to celebrate the arrival of the world's prestigious
trophy.
After its arrival, the trophy was taken to prime minister's
office, where Begum Khaleda Zia and her cabinet colleagues were
present.
An exhibition football match has been arranged in the afternoon
at the Nation Stadium between two clubs -- Mohammedans and Abahani
where the trophy will be taken. A concert has been arranged in
the evening at the stadium. The cup will be put into display for
fans having ticket at the National Stadium.
The trophy will cover 12 countries during its present tour
before returning to Zurich from Dhaka via Kolkata and Dubai.
Another replica is now on display at different World Cup venues in
South Korea.
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