Following a three-day tour of Delhi and Guwahati in India, the FIFA World Cup Trophy arrived in Dhaka this morning.
At a welcoming ceremony held at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, 2002 World Cup-winning Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva unveiled the trophy, removing the black shroud from its glass casing before invited guests.
Bangladesh National Football Team captain Jamal Bhuyan was present at the event and expressed deep emotion at seeing the iconic trophy in person for the first time.
Speaking to journalists, Bhuyan said, "Honestly, it was an extraordinary experience. Gilberto Silva brought the trophy with his own hands, and I saw it up close for the first time. It feels great.
It looks one way on TV, but the feeling is completely different in person. I thought the trophy would be a bit smaller, but it’s actually quite large. Hearing that it’s nearly 7kg of solid gold is mind-blowing."
Loyalty Between Denmark and Brazil
The Denmark-born footballer shared that while Denmark is his first choice, he wants Brazil to win the title if his birth country cannot.
"I want Denmark to win the World Cup because I was born there," Jamal stated. "However, if that isn’t possible, I definitely want to see the trophy in Brazil’s hands."
A lifelong fan of the Seleção, Jamal reminisced about the 2002 World Cup. "I’ve followed Brazil since I was a child. My first favorite player was Ronaldo.
The 2002 winning team inspired me immensely; I was only 12 at the time. That squad had Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and of course, Gilberto Silva, who is here today."
Inspiration for Bangladesh Football
As he nears the later stages of his career, Jamal Bhuyan believes the trophy’s visit will serve as a massive boost for local football.
"The World Cup Trophy coming to Bangladesh is a huge deal for our players. It will be a massive inspiration for the new generation who want to become footballers. I believe that one day, Bangladesh will write its own history in the World Cup," he added.
Public Viewing Details
The trophy will be on display starting this afternoon at the Hotel Radisson Blu in Dhaka. However, access is restricted:
- Eligibility: Only winners of Coca-Cola’s "Under the Cap" campaign.
- Requirements: A valid ticket and a Coca-Cola cap are mandatory for entry.
- Restriction: Touching the trophy is strictly prohibited.
The trophy tour, organized by Coca-Cola, will span 150 days across 30 countries. The trophy is scheduled to depart Dhaka tonight for its next destination.
