FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy: Touch me not 

The trophy has been India's responsibility ever since Nwankwo Kanu brought it on to the stage during the official draw ceremony, and it has been leading a pampered existence ever since.
Trophy: The current U-17 World Cup trophy was designed by Jane Powell and Thomas Fattorini in 2004. (Twitter/FIFA)
Trophy: The current U-17 World Cup trophy was designed by Jane Powell and Thomas Fattorini in 2004. (Twitter/FIFA)

The trophy has been India's responsibility ever since Nwankwo Kanu brought it on to the stage during the official draw ceremony, and it has been leading a pampered existence ever since, its every move governed by FIFA's strict, sometimes borderline comical, rules. There are regulations that govern every minute thing, right from who is allowed to touch the trophy, to the font in which stuff should be written on placards next to it. The protocols that it is subject to would put many heads of state to shame.

Sponsors and partners can get hold of the trophy for a couple of days, but they have to peruse almost a dozen pages of FIFA regulations pertaining to it. Whoever wins the final on Saturday would do well to give it a read. Winning the Cup is hard, but what comes after may be a bit harder. 

Related Stories

No stories found.

X
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com