Hundreds turn out to see World Cup trophy

Hundreds of Bermudians turned out to see the FIFA World Cup in the Botanical Gardens this afternoon.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola arrived at the LF Wade International Airport at 12:20pm today. It was unveiled in Camden by Premier Craig Cannonier.

School kids dressed up their football gear attended the gardens where they waited for their turn to have a picture with the trophy.

Bruce Barritt, general manager of John Barritt and Son Ltd welcomed the delegation to Bermuda and hosted the event.

Speaking to the Bermuda Sun, Mr Barritt said: “It’s been going very orderly. The trophy arrived on its special jet at 12:30.

“Everything was very smooth through Customs and Immigration and we were here by 1:30.”

There was a presentation held at Camden to unveil the trophy and was attended by dignitaries, BFA president Cal Blankendal, past BFA presidents and Bermudian football greats Clyde Best and Kyle Lightbourne.

“Everybody had their picture taken with the trophy. The Opposition Leader Marc Bean stood there along with Premier Cannonier and had their picture taken.

“Sport Minister Wayne Scott also had his picture taken. It was good to see everyone happy.

“As the Premier said, it really was a big deal for Bermuda to have the World Cup trophy here in the island.”

Close to 300 youth football players came to see the trophy and get their picture taken along with people from all walks of life.

In a tour spanning more than 92,000 miles, Coca-Cola and FIFA will take the trophy on its longest journey to date.

The trophy will visit 89 countries, all across six FIFA Confederations in nine months.

This is the third time Coca-Cola has teamed up with FIFA to bring the Trophy Tour to the world, starting in 2006 and again in 2010.