26/10/2009 The President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA unveiled the FIFA World Cup in a ceremony at the Unity Palace on Friday 23rd October 2009.
The brief but colourful ceremony at Unity Palace was to mark the beginning of the trophies in Cameroon where it arrived from neighbouring Nigeria, in continuation of a 53 nation tour of the African Continent. The Head of State was accompanied by the First Lady Chantal BIYA.
The first speaker at the event was the General Manager of Brasseries du Cameroun, Mr. André SIAKA, who, on behalf of Coca Cola, the sponsor, thanked the Head of State for the honour given to the trophy, praised the spirit of solidarity that has always guided his action, and expressed the hope that his leadership will continue to strive for peace and development in Cameroon.
For his part, Mr. Emmanuel MARADAS the personal representative of FIFA President Mr. Sepp BLATTER expressed the gratitude of FIFA for the support that the President of the Republic has always given to football activities in Cameroon. He was hopeful that ETO’O Fils and his mates of the Indomitable Lions will take Cameroon to great heights just like Roger MILLA and his mates did some years back.
President Paul BIYA thanked the organisers for giving Cameroonians to see first hand the trophy that most have only dreamed about and lauded the unifying potential of football, which attracts the attention of the weak and the strong, the poor and the rich and knows no barriers of colour, race or religion.
The President of the Republic was flanked by his close collaborators and invitees for the occasion included the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable CAVAYE YEGUIE DJIBRIL, some cabinet members and a few members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Yaoundé.
Source: Presidency of the Republic.
