FIFA World Cup trophy displayed in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday welcome delegates of FIFA, who are undertaking World Cup trophy tour, at the State Palace.

The delegates carried out the most iconic symbol of football, the World Cup trophy, and displayed it during the meeting.

The trophy, which kicked off its tour from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 12, 2013, arrived in Halim Perdanakusuma airport in Jakarta on Monday and has been scheduled to be displayed from January 6 to 8 in Jakarta convention center.

Indonesia is the 57th country out of 90 countries having opportunity to display the trophy, it said.

President Yudhoyono said that millions of Indonesian people would watch the World Cup once it started in Brazil and expected such event could bode well for effort to enhance the Indonesia's national soccer team.

"To all our foreign guest today, let me tell you, football is the most popular sport in Indonesia, therefore, I can guarantee you that when the FIFA World Cup kicks off in June, millions of Indonesian people would watch this most celebrated event from their televisions," Yudhoyono said.

President Yudhoyono said that the FIFA World Cup was not only a sporting event, but also a celebration of peace and diversity.

"Football players are like modern warriors, who compete for the glory of their countries. But in World Cup, differences are settled through sportsmanship and friendship," he said.

"World Cup trophy tour gives many Indonesians to experience the World Cup magic. This hopefully will encourage Indonesia to build stronger national team so that one day it may compete in World Cup final round," he added.

Ambassador of FIFA tour Dwight Yorke said that he expected the World Cup to bring much joy for the fans in Indonesia.

"We know that with the World Cup trophy being here, how well it has been received and with the capture of imagination of the people and of the global support of football. I'm sure the World Cup will bring so much joy for the people of Indonesia," he said at the palace.

"And hopefully one day we expect Indonesian football to be graced in the World Cup," Yorke said.