Fifa World Cup™ Original Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola Brings Real Magic to Pakistan
[Lahore, 7th June 2022]: The FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy was unveiled in Pakistan today, as part of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola. Fans, sports personalities, government leaders and Pakistan’s youth powerhouses experienced football's most coveted prize at a series of events in Lahore, which first welcomed the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola in 2018.
“For Coca‑Cola, the real magic of the FIFA World Cup™ is connection - sharing your passion for the game, beyond boundaries; in a space where unity, diversity and inclusion thrive. We are thrilled to have brought these values and the excitement of the world's most loved football tournament to Pakistan, a nation of great football fans.” said Vice President Coca‑Cola Pakistan & Afghanistan, Fahad Ashraf.
The day long tour was kicked off with the arrival of FIFA World Cup™ Trophy at the airport, accompanied by FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu, as received by Hajra Khan, Pakistan Women’s Football team captain and Fahad Ashraf, Vice President Coca‑Cola Pakistan & Afghanistan.
This was followed by a trophy unveiling ceremony and a celebration highlighting the heritage and future of Pakistan’s youth and women in football as hosted by Hajra Khan. With diversity and inclusion at the core of Coca‑Cola’s values, the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour event showcased Pakistan’s rich diversity with players and youth represented from across Pakistan’s different football playing communities including Fizza Batool, Hazara Women's Football Captain, Ali Changazi, Head Coach Hazara Football Academy, Muhammad Waheed from Malir, Muqaddas Iqbal from Orangi Town and Suha Hirani from the Karachi City Football Club.
“The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola to Pakistan carries great symbolic power and belief in the future of Pakistan’s sporting prowess. The 220 million people of Pakistan have a growing passion for football and events like this will continue to inspire fans, the youth and more sports stars.” said Mr Ahmad Hanif Orakzai, Secretary Inter Provincial Coordination and Vice President, Pakistan Sports Board who attended the event as chief guest.
The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour in Pakistan also included a fan only event with show stopping musical performances by Coke Studio sensations Shae Gill, Hassan Raheem, Abdullah Siddiqui and Talal Qureshi, bringing together the unifying power of music and sport.
Pakistan has a historical association with football and to mark this affiliation, limited edition artisan hand- painted footballs inspired by Pakistan’s celebrated truck art heritage were presented to the visiting delegation.
The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola is part of Coca‑Cola and FIFA’s goal to visit each of FIFA’s 211 member associations by 2030. This year the Trophy is visiting 51 countries ahead of the competition in November 2022.