Senior government officials including Youth and Sports Minister Aster Mamo welcomed the cup upon its arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Displaying the cup at a ceremony organized at the National Palace same day, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the cup is pride not for only South Africans but also for all Africans.

Meles recalled that the 8th Summit of African Heads of State and Government has decided that the World Cup is also pride for Africans.

The premier said the ceremony is an event to show partnership with South Africa.

Arrival of the Cup carries special meaning to Ethiopia and its people as the country is one of the founders of the Confederation of African Football, he said.

Aster on her part said arrival of the cup ,which is the top award in international football tournament, is a good opportunity to the country and its people.

On behalf of the FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, the FIFA delegation head, Headi Hamel on the occasion lauded the welcoming ceremony .

The cup will head to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on Thursday afternoon.

The World Cup is touring 53 African nations before the commencement of the 2010 World Cup Tournament next year in South Africa.

---END---