St Lucians will have the rare opportunity to view (not touch) what many consider the most sought after and most recognized sports prize in the world-The FIFA World Cup Trophy courtesy of Coca Cola and by extension Du Boulay’s Bottling Company Limited who are the local manufacturers and distributor of the popular drink.
On October 21, the Coca Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour plane arrives in St Lucia via Hewannora International Airport where it is destined to receive a royal treatment. Having the prestigious trophy arrive here is a privilege. Out of FIFA’s 209 member states, 88 including St Lucia were chosen for this nine month global tour.
Details for what will truly be an opportunity of a lifetime for football fans, was unveiled at a press launch Wednesday evening at the Coco Palm Hotel. Special guests included Minister of Tourism, Lorne Theophilus; Director of the St Lucia Tourist Board, Louis Lewis; First Vice President of the St Lucia Football Association (SLFA), Stephen Regis; Marketing Manager of Du Boulay’s Bottling Company Limited, Troy Defreitas; Deputy Managing Director of Consolidated Foods Limited (CFL), Martin Dorville; Caribbean Cinemas Manager, Michelle Ellis; and Senior Youth Development Officer in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Clivus Jules. Event Coordinator, Ersher Delauney-Daniel handled the proceedings.
Minister Theophilus referred to the St Lucia leg of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour as an historic occasion. He said “we may never be able to witness this in at least our lifetime. FIFA made a very important and very good decision in choosing St Lucia as a destination and also partnering with Du Boulay’s Bottling Company Limited representatives of Coca Cola here, who have been very active in the development of sports for decades in St Lucia.”
He urged St Lucians to embrace this venture and the events that surround it in a big way and wished organizers success.Speaking on behalf of the SLFA, Regis thanked everyone who made the tour possible and said “let this event be the start in bringing back football to the forefront in St Lucia.”
Defreitas of Du Boulay’s Bottling Company Limited told the gathering “it brings us great joy to bring to St Lucia the FIFA World Cup Trophy. He pointed out that the trophy tour by Coca Cola, will give more than one million people worldwide a rare close up view of the world’s greatest prize, which is a solid gold FIFA World Cup Trophy.
There will be several promotions Island wide and activities taking place with this historic tour. There will be a first viewing of the trophy in the plane by local dignitaries, followed by a short welcome ceremony in the Sandals Lounge, where members of the press core will see the trophy for the first time.
The second leg of the day’s activities will be a visit to the Governor General’s residence where Her Excellency,
Governor General, Dame Pearlette Louisy, will be presented with the trophy as the Head of State.
The day’s activities culminate at the Beausejour Cricket Ground with an exhibition match between the 2013 Blackheart Knockout Football champions Gros Islet and a select Coca Cola 11 side. Both teams receive appearance fees but that’s not all. The winning team on the day receives a trophy and get a picture with the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
After the game the general public will view the trophy from a FIFA approved location. Entertainment will also be provided courtesy of the multi talented Tennyson John. Stage one for promoting this grand event has already begun. Patrons at the Blackheart Football Finals who purchased a 50 ml bottle of coke, got one ticket to view the event.
Stage two of the promotion begins October 1 through a partnership with CFL. Individuals can obtain a ticket with the purchase of four 500 ml of coke or
a two litre bottle of coke until tickets last. Caribbean Cinemas is also included in the promotion and will issue a ticket with every combo purchased which will include one coke.Stage three involves radio, television and newspaper ads with the fourth stage consisting of giveaways by radio announcers.
