Some members of the T&T Soca Warriors are anxious to participate in the Real Fifa World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca Cola which will see the World Cup trophy being displayed in T&T on February 17 at the Dr Joao Havelange, Centre of Excellence from 3 pm to 9 pm.
This was revealed by special advisor Jack Warner at the unveiling of the first ever Real Fifa World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca Cola at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, yesterday.
Warner said that while in England over the weekend he met with members of the team who informed him of their willingness to be part of the tour.
Warner was also high in praise for Coca Cola which he said began its relationship with Fifa some 56 years ago in 1950.
According to Anissa Taitt, marketing manager of Caribbean Service Company, the unveiling of the trophy which costs close to US$20 million and weighs four pounds is free to the public.
However, tickets are required to view the event.
She explained: “These tickets are available to the general public via a Coca Cola text to Coke promotion whereby consumers are encouraged to text the code found under the caps of a Coca Cola 20 oz bottle to COKE (2635) in order to win a ticket.”
Warner said his friend and former Fifa president Dr Joao Havelange played a key role in initiating programmes sponsored by Coca Cola for Fifa in 1974 hence the reason for the unveiling will be held at the Macoya venue.
Warner noted that the local federation has already launched its programme for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with Coca Cola as the first sponsor.
He warned potential sponsors: “When we qualify in 2009, please don’t say we did not open the doors to you. Don’t wait until we qualify.
“As a deputy chairman of the Finance Committee in FIFA, I can tell you that Coca Cola has already signed for the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments. They did that with no delay and no debate.”
Warner said the Coca Cola tour “will be the closest most of you will come to the trophy in your life and if your are lucky some of you all may even get a chance to hold it.”
German great Franz Beckenbauer will also be present while BBC has made a request and has been given the permission to broadcast the tour live.
“All of this is being done at no cost and expenses to the government or any other sponsor, Warner stated.
The Fifa official noted that Tobagonians will not be left out and will be accommodated at the same venue.
“The scheduling of the tour makes it impossible to carry the trophy to Tobago but we will be arranging transportation to get those in Tobago to come to T&T.”
In his brief address, Derek Waddell noted that the Coca Cola tour began on January 7 in Ghana and will conclude in Italy on April 10.
Waddell added that over the coming months, the public will also be hearing more about the barrier-breaking Fifa World Cup platform for Coca Cola called “We All Speak Football.”
This new global marketing platform brings to life the optimistic vision of brand Coca Cola to draw people together and set aside their differences.
Another fan programme to be launched includes the Fifa World Cup International Flag Bearers Youth Programme.
This programme will allow three teenagers from T&T between the ages of 12-16 a chance to go to Germany as official national flag bearers.