Interesting facts about the FIFA World cup trophy

Kenyans were super excited when the Coca Cola branded airplane carrying the World cup touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

The FIFA officials and the cup were received through song and cultural dance by members of the Maasai Community.

Having been received by Cabinet Secretaries for Sports, Tourism and Public Service Rashid Achesa, Najib Balala and Prof. Margaret Kobia respectively, the entourage began making its way to State House Nairobi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta received the cup and got to lift it wearing a Coca cola branded T-shirt.

These are some interesting facts about the highest achievement in the world of sport and most especially football:

• There have been two trophies used for the world cup since its advent in 1930: The Jules Rimet trophy from 1930-1974 and the current FIFA World Cup trophy from 1974 till now.
•  The FIFA world cup trophy was designed in 1971 by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga.
• The trophy was worth Sh5 million (USD 50,000) but is now worth Sh1 billion (USD 10 million).
• The 36.8 cm (14.4 inches) tall trophy is made up of 18 karats of pure gold and its base is made of two layers of Malachite which has a 13 cm (5.1 inches) long diameter. It weighs 6.17 kilogrammes.
• Only Heads of State and previous winners can touch the trophy.
• The trophy has toured the world four times and has come to Kenya three times. It first came to Kenya in 2010 before the World Cup happened in South Africa and in 2013 before the Brazil tournament.
• The tour was developed as a partnership between FIFA and Coca Cola which is one of FIFA’s longest standing partners.
• The tour is supposed to cover 51 countries and 91 cities.
• The trophy has covered a total distance of 149,576.78 km (92,942.702 miles) which is three times the circumference of earth.
• So far only the following nations have won the cup: Brazil, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, England, Argentina and Uruguay.
• Brazil is the only nation that has participated in all the tournaments having won the trophy five times. Germany and Italy follow closely having won the cup four times each.
• Argentina and the first winner ever Uruguay have held the title two times each.
• France and Spain have held the cup once each.
• Only previous World Cup winners and Heads of State can touch the cup. Fans can only take pictures of the cup but are not allowed to touch it.
• The trophy is in Kenya for two days and was taken to KICC for public viewing. FIFA team will leave for Maputo, Mozambique on Tuesday.