FIFA World Cup trophy lands in Delhi, to be in India for 3 days as part of world tour
New Delhi (PTI): Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the tournament set to kick off on June 11, the original trophy arrived in India on Saturday as part of its world tour.
The original trophy was unveiled here at a ceremony in the presence of former Brazilian World Cup-winning player and FIFA legend Gilberto D'Silva, and Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya.
D'Silva said the trophy will inspire youngsters in India to play more football, just like they play cricket.
"...this trophy ...is to inspire so many young kids, inspire the next generation of players, women and boys to become successful also here in football, as they have done in other sports, especially in cricket," he said.
The World Cup trophy has come to India after a gap of almost 12 years as part of its international tour. The trophy tour is being organised by global beverage major Coca-Cola, the official partner of the FIFA World Cup.
During its three-day India tour, the trophy will be in Delhi for two days before being taken to Guwahati in Assam.
Speaking on the occasion, Mandaviya said, the trophy will encourage the youth of the country towards the game of football.
The government is working to develop a culture of sports in the country, which has the largest number of youths globally.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, sports has emerged as a national priority," he said, adding, "We are working to bring India among the top-ten sporting nations of the world in a decade by 2036."
The government is working under initiatives such as 'Fit India Movement' and 'Khelo India', which are promoting fitness and sports, with Khelo India focusing on grassroots sports development.
As India aspires to become a developed nation by 2047, sports will stand as a vital pillar of nation-building and youth empowerment, he added.
Sanket Ray, President, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said that sports have emerged as a very strong, powerful pillar of national building.
"The reason is closely aligned with Vikshit Bharat 2047, where young India are empowered to lead, compete and excel on the world stage. Coca-Cola's association with the FIFA World Cup brings this national focus on sports and youth association to life," Ray said.
Coca-Cola has been an official partner for the FIFA World Cup since 1978 and has been regularly promoting it across the world, he said.
During its global journey, the trophy will visit 30 FIFA member associations (countries) across 75 stops and over 150 tour days, offering fans an incredible opportunity to experience the thrill and connection of football.
The trophy, made of 18-carat solid gold, weighing 6.175 kg, features two human figures holding the globe above them. The design dates back to 1974.
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Assam govt moves SC against anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera
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New Delhi (PTI): The Assam government has moved the Supreme Court against the Telangana High Court order granting one-week transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case registered against him for levelling allegations against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife.
The petition was filed on Sunday through advocate Shuvodeep Roy and is likely to be taken up for hearing this week.
On April 10, the high court granted one-week transit anticipatory bail to Khera.
The high court gave him a week's time to file an application before the court concerned and granted him relief with certain conditions.
"Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this court is of the view that the petitioner has made out a case for grant of limited transit anticipatory bail, as his apprehension of arrest appears to be reasonable and supported by material on record," the high court had said in its order.
The conditions were that the petitioner shall be released on bail in the event of arrest on his executing a personal bond for Rs one lakh with two sureties for the like sum each, cooperate with the investigation and make himself available for interrogation as and when required by the Investigating Officer and that he shall not leave the country without prior permission of the competent Court.
The conditions further include that the petitioner shall, within the stipulated period, approach the competent jurisdictional court in Assam and seek appropriate relief and he, being a public figure, shall exercise restraint in making any further public statements in relation to the subject matter of the present case, which may prejudice the investigation, the order said.
The Congress leader on April 5 had alleged that the Assam CM's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, has multiple passports and foreign property, which were not declared in the chief minister's election affidavit for the April 9 Assembly polls in that state.
The case against Khera was registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under several sections of the BNS, including 175 (false statement in connection with an election), 35 (Right of private defence of the body and of property) and 318 (cheating).
Khera, who approached the high court on April 7, showed his residential address in Hyderabad. He had requested the high court to release him on bail in the event of his arrest.
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