Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete on Friday welcomed the arrival of the world's most coveted sporting trophy to this country.

In a special unveiling ceremony preceding Saturday's public view in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian president lifted and kissed the genuine gold trophy of World Cup that is making its first tour of this east African country despite the fact that it has never made it to the championship proper.

Leodegar Tenga, president of the Tanzanian Football Federation, described the unveiling ceremony as an historical event that means a lot of different things to different people.

"Football today has ceased to be just a mere recreational activity but, if given the opportunity, investment and good management.

"It is a great source of employment which is one of the major problems facing all African countries, Tanzania included."

The chief of Tanzanian soccer thanked Coca-Cola for making Tanzania one of the 28 countries where the World Cup trophy is making tours of 31 cities in all.

"The FIFA World Cup trophy is arguably one of the strongest symbols for a harmonious world," said Justin Melvin, director for Coca-Cola East African Franchise Territory, "This is why it is the hope and aspiration of every country to host the trophy."

Lots of soccer lovers, selected through raffles, will view the World Cup trophy in the biggest hall in Dar es Salaam on Saturday when they can take pictures with the trophy.

Dar es Salaam of Tanzania is the third stop on the World Cup trophy tour that started on Jan. 7 from Accra of Ghana. The trophy went to Lagos of Nigeria before reaching Dar es Salaam. It goes on to Johannesburg of South Africa before traveling to South America.

Source: Xinhua