By Taromane Martin
SOLOMON Island football icon Batram Suri believes the visit of the FIFA World Cup trophy to the country yesterday will help trigger the drive to see the country playing at the World Cup one day.
The world football most converted trophy arrived in Honiara yesterday morning, with a good crowd turning up to see the golden trophy.
Photo opportunities with the trophy were also done yesterday which saw only a handful lucky ones getting the opportunity to have their photos taken with the Cup, and Suri was one of them.
The former Solomon Island striker now turned coach said seeing the trophy first hand was special and a moment to remember.
“I feel proud and overjoyed because this is one of the hardest part which Solomon Island football and players have never reached especially in the 11 aside code,” he told Sun SPORTS yesterday.
“When I heard the cup was coming to the country I knew it was a very fortunate situation for me to see the World Cup.
“It is a huge occasion especially for football in the country and I believe it will trigger the drive for us to one day playing at the World Cup.
“When you get such opportunity it is one of those moments you can be proud of as a football player and now a coach,” he said.
Meanwhile the FIFA World Cup trophy will arrive in Lahore Pakistan on February 3, travelling through Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, North America, through Japan before arriving at Vladivostok, Russia on May 1.
