World Cup trophy arrives in Uganda

The prestigious World Cup trophy on a world tour has finally arrived in the East African country of Uganda on Saturday night.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni commanded the sport of football as he received the World Cup trophy at a welcoming ceremony at Entebbe statehouse, about 40km south of the capital city of Kampala.

"Football in particular is a very good mechanism of imparting certain qualities in society, fitness, coordination, competition but also gentleman behavior," he said.

The President believes the cup epitomizes the efforts of sportspeople all over the world competing against each other in order to get this epitome of excellence in football.

"We are happy to receive this epitomization of football efforts in the whole world. This is very important. Our football fans, the youths will be very interested in associating themselves with this football movement in the world," he added.

Uganda's Education and Sports Minister Namirembe Bitamazire, who also attended the ceremony, is very excited with the arrival of the world's most coveted sports icon and symbol of football supremacy. "I believe today is a great moment for our country. Ugandans are very great fans of football," she said.

As FIFA regulation rules that it is only the Presidents and former winners allowed to hold the trophy, Museveni became the first ever Ugandan to touch and hold up the trophy.

Uganda is the sixth country in East and Central Africa and the 37th in the African continent to host the coveted trophy on the first round of its tour that will climax next month in Cape Town, South Africa, where the 2010 World Cup will be staged.

The Ugandan football fans will also have the chance to take souvenir photo, view a special 3-D movie showcasing memorable moments of the World Cup, participate in interactive displays and enjoy other entertainment at the Lugogo cricket oval in Kampala on Sunday.

Source: Xinhua