World Cup in Sri Lanka in world tour start
RAW
The World Cup trophy has arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time, as the most coveted prize in global soccer starts a 54-country tour ahead of the 2018 tournament in Russia.
The trophy arrived late on Tuesday and was unveiled by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at two separate events, with the participation of French 1998 World Cup-winning midfielder Christian Karembeu.
"We are privileged to be selected as the first country on the FIFA trophy's international tour," sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara told a gathering as the World Cup was put on display for the public.
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The trophy is scheduled to be taken later on Wednesday to Male in the Maldives.
