Roadshow planned for World Cup trophy

21/12/2001

THE World Cup trophy will be down in Malaysia on Jan 15 and the Malaysian
Hockey Federation (MHF) have drawn up an elobrate roadshow to whip up
public support for the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup.
"Holland, the defending champions, will hand over the trophy in the
middle of January and the MHF have plans to go on a roadshow so that the
public will be able to view it at close range," said MHF secretary S.
Satgunam.
The magnificent World Cup trophy was donated by Pakistan who were
supposed to be the first hosts in 1971 but due to security concerns, the
venue was shifted to Barcelona and the World Cup was held from Oct 15-24.
Pakistan, however, emerged the first winners of the World Cup with Spain
second and India third.
The World Cup has a rich history and tradition and in the 10th edition
in Kuala Lumpur in February, 16 countries will battle for 14 days to
decide who is the worthy winner.
Designed by Bashir Moojid of Pakistan, originally, the World Cup design
was conceived as a single piece in the form of a hockey stick to be
fabricated in gold and silver.
But later, based on the theme given by Lt General K.M. Azhar Khan, then
President of Pakistan Hockey Federation, coupled with the genius of the
designer and the skills of artisans serving in the Corps of Electrical and
Mechanical Engineers of the Pakistan Army, the trophy took the beautiful
shape that can be seen now.
The gold and silver World Cup trophy stands on a 120.85mm high blade
base inlaid with ivory. It comprises a silver cup carrying an intricate
floral design surmounted by a globe in silver and gold depicting the
world. On top of it is a ball and hockey stick.
The trophy, when mounted on its ivory base, stands 650mm high and weighs
11,560 grammes.
Materials used in making the trophy include 895g of gold, 6,815g of
silver, 350g of ivory and 3,500g of teak wood.
In the '73 World Cup in Amsterdam, experts valued the trophy at
RM180,000.
The last time the trophy was in Malaysia was in 1975 and India were the
champions.
Twenty-seven years later, it is back in Kuala Lumpur, and should be on
the `must see' list of ardent hockey fans in the country.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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