Golden opportunity upclose with FIFA World Cup trophy

Over 10,000 football fans are expected to flock Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) tomorrow to grab the chance of a lifetime to witness up close the much iconic symbol of football, the FIFA World Cup trophy.

It will be put on display for public viewing at Dewan Tun Hussein Onn Hall 1, PWTC from 10am to 10pm as part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca Cola after it arrived in Malaysia yesterday as part of its nine month journey to 88 countries.

The trophy came from Hanoi, Vietnam and Malaysia is the 56th stopover on its long journey before heading to Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday.

The authentic World Cup trophy, which is 36.8cm high and weighs 6.18kg is made of solid 18-carat gold with a base made from two layers of semi-precious malachite.

Coca-Cola's Singapore-Malaysia-Brunei Region General Manager, Gill McLaren said among the highlights at the event this Sunday is a very rare chance to have their photo taken with the trophy.

Besides the photo opportunity, football fans can also experience a lot of football fun and games.

"There will be hologram exhibits. There will be football activity where you get to play football, Sony Playstation as well as get your pictures taken with World Cup trophy. There are lots of other activities. Anybody who comes tomorrow will have an exciting time." she said.

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who launched the Malaysian chapter of the FIFA World Cup trophy tour earlier said football is a sport with tremendous social values and has the ability to unite communities, including Malaysians.

As a sports person himself, he said he is convinced that football and other sports are able to play an important role in not just developing oneself, but had a multiplier effect on moulding and unifying a nation.

"When we talk about football or watch a game, all barriers disappear as we focus on our common passion. Football, like any other sport, is colour blind. Playing sports with friends of different races will help unite people of different creeds and colour."

"So much so, supporting a national team regardless of the racial identities of its players will also enhance national unity," he said.

The deputy prime minister also hoped that the World Cup Trophy's presence in Malaysia will inspire excellence and motivate more Malaysian to push themselves to strive for greater achievements.

According to Muhyiddin, it was an open secret that most Malaysian football lovers were frustrated as the national team lacked success at international competitions and this had caused them to turn to other international teams for solace.

"Let us all work together towards greater excellence so that trophies do not become a forlorn hope. I am confident that trophies can be won and must be won for Malaysia by Malaysians," he said.

As such, Muhyiddin urged young talents as well as the Harimau Malaya (national football squad) to dream big so that Malaysia could take its rightful place as a great footballing nation.

"Who knows that amongst us this weekend, looking at the trophy is a young boy who will be inspired by this historic event and will lead the national team and qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever," he said.

In order to improve the quality of football in Malaysia, the National Football Development Plan 2014-2020 will be presented to Cabinet soon for approval.

The plan, he said, will focus on the aspect of football development in the country and targeted at grooming players from age seven to 17.

The massive football event, FIFA World Cup 2014 will take place in Brazil starting from 12 June to 13 July 2014.

ASTRO as the main broadcaster of the most prestigious football match will be showcasing all 64 live matches. They will be made available on all 10 ASTRO dedicated channels in both SD and HD as well as ASTRO-On-The-Go.