One of the world's most coveted sporting trophies is starting a national tour in Northland next week.
The Fifa Under-20 World Cup trophy is arriving at Waitangi at sunrise on Monday on board a 30-man waka as part of the build-up to the 2015 tournament being held in New Zealand.
The trophy, which has been held aloft by superstars like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, will be carried to shore by Oceania's Footballer of the Century, Wynton Rufer. He will hand the trophy to Ivan Vicelich, New Zealand's most capped international player, who will carry it on to the Treaty Grounds for a formal welcome.
The trophy will then call in at Ohaeawai Primary School (9.45-10.45am) before making its way to Kerikeri Domain (noon-1.30pm) and the Bay Sports Grounds in Waipapa (3.45-6pm). On Tuesday, the trophy will travel to Whangarei where it will be on show at the Town Basin (9-10am) and Laurie Hall Park (10am-noon).
It will then make another 45 stops in New Zealand culminating in a festival of football and an All Whites v South Africa match on May 30, marking one year to the tournament's kick-off.
