The International Cricket Council (ICC) 2019 World Cup trophy is in the country as part of its global tour. The trophy arrived in the country for a three-day tour on Friday morning.

Upon at Kigali International Airport, the trophy accompanied by ICC officials was welcomed by the National Cricket Association (RCA) President Eddie Balaba and the United Kingdom High Commissioner Rwanda Jo Lomas.

From the airport, the trophy was taken to the Ministry of Sports and Culture at Amahoro stadium, where it was received by Minister Esperance Nyarisafari.

Minister for Sports and Culture Espérance Nyirasafari holds the Cricket World Cup trophy yesterday

RCA president Balaba said that it was an honour for the country to host the trophy and have it stay in the country for 3 days.

"We are privileged to have it here, we hope it will inspire the youth to play in the world cup. We set the target to play in the tournament in 2032 and we are hopeful we can make it”.

The trophy will be on display at the Kigali Convention Center roundabout today for public viewing and photo shoot, then head to the Hero’s war museum from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm— before being police escorted to Gahanga cricket oval at 12:00 pm where a T10 exhibition will played in the afternoon.

The 2019 World Cup cricket trophy is in the country for three days as part of its global tour. Courtesy.

"What a lucky action this is, Rwandan cricket dream started with Charles Haba and we have been working with him for a number of years now. This corporation continued with the construction of the amazing Gahanga stadium” Amb. Jo Lamos explained.

Gahanga cricket stadium which is one of its kind in the region was opened in  2017. 

On Sunday, the trophy will make a tour around the city from 9:00 am to12: 00 pm.

After the Rwandan leg, the trophy will travel to Nigeria, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany.

Finally, it will reach England and Wales — the venue for the 2019 ODI Cricket World Cup — in February next year. The 10-team tournament is slated for May 30 to July 14.

The trophy is made of silver and gold and features with a golden globe held up by three silver columns.

The columns, shaped as stumps and bails, represent the three fundamental aspects of cricket — batting, bowling, and fielding, while the globe characterizes a cricket ball.

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