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Tuesday
Feb 09th

Football: World Cup trophy due in Zimbabwe

Football - The World Cup trophy, which is being flown around the world until it arrives in South Africa which hosts the finals next year, was expected in Zimbabwe Thursday evening, officials said.

The officials said President Robert Mugabe would receive the trophy, which was arriving from Madagascar, at the Harare International Airport.

Huge festivals have been lined up in the country for the arrival of the trophy, which next goes to Malawi.

"The country's number one citizen (Mugabe) will be at the airport to officiate during the ceremony to give the event a national outlook as has been the case elsewhere where the trophy has been," Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi said.

"I am appealing to all Zimbabweans to throng the airport and do our traditional welcome of the trophy," he said.

Though Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the World Cup finals, it is bidding to host some of the matches and participating teams.

Harare - 26/11/2009

Pana