FIFA World Cup Trophy to tour India in December

New Delhi: World football`s greatest prize, the FIFA World Cup Trophy will tour India for the second time when the city of joy, Kolkata hosts it from December 22-24.

The Coca-Cola Company in partnership with FIFA and the All India Football Association (AIFF) will be working together to bring the real and the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy to India for the second time, the first time being early 2010. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will take an unprecedented journey around the world in anticipation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. This will allow thousands of football fans in Kolkata to see the real solid-gold trophy in person. The trophy will travel to 88 countries around the globe over a nine month period. The arrival of the trophy in India also coincides with the celebration of 20 years of Coca-Cola`s presence in the country. "We are thrilled to once again bring the FIFA World Cup Trophy to India and what better venue than the city of football lovers - Kolkata. We are sure that the trophy tour will provide a great impetus to the nation`s passion for the sport of football. We are planning a host of exciting activities across the spectrum to amplify this experience for our consumers and we hope the entire nation will join us in this unique celebration of the sport," VP ? Marketing of Coca-Cola India said in a statement. AIFF secretary general, Kushal Das added: "We`re elated to join hands with Coca-Cola again to stage the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour 2013. "This year the tour is bigger and better and will help bring football fans across the country closer to the greatest prize in the world of football. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour is the ultimate ode to the glory of football and we are proud to be associated with this initiative." The authentic, FIFA World Cup Trophy is awarded to the winning nation at each tournament. The iconic trophy measures 36.8 centimetres (14.5 inches) high, weighs in at 6,175 grams (13.61 pounds) and is made of solid, 18-carat gold. PTI