Indonesian president hails FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour
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Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hailed the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour in Indonesia on Monday, saying that the spirit of the world cup had touched down in the country.
President Yudhoyono made the statement on his welcoming speech at the visit of the representatives of the FIFA world cup trophy tour at the State Palace.
"I am very pleased to welcome you to Indonesia, and I thank you for bringing the FIFA world cup trophy to our country as part of international tour. You have many friends here and I can assure you that the whole nation will be greeted by this momentous sport event," President Yudhoyono said in a ceremony.
During the ceremony it was delivered the world cup to the president by the representatives of FIFA,President Yudhoyono said that the world cup game was not just a sporting event, it was a celebration of peace of friendship and of excellence.
"I hope that this is a message that we leave on to rest of humanity, and I wish you all the best, and successful world cup in South Africa later this year," he said.
The president expected the momentous sporting event could inspire the awakening football in the country.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy arrived in Jakarta on Sunday as part of its world tour organized by FIFA and Coca-Cola. It would for Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia on Tuesday.
The 225-day tour started from FIFA Headquarters on Sept. 21, 2009 and would pass 86 countries.
Indonesia is one of the 54 countries and regions passed by the trophy. The tour would end on May 4, 2010 in World Cup host South Africa.
FIFA representative Ling Ling Liu said that the FIFA expected that the tour could promote the football spirit in the region.
We are pretty sure by your support (President Yudhoyono) we are going to inspire more young people in Indonesia to get involved in football to play football, to enjoy the beautiful game," she said during the ceremony.
