The FIFA World Cup, held once every four years, is arguably the world’s most-followed sport, watched by billions of people across the world.
It is also the most lucrative, owing to the amount of revenue it rakes in from broadcast rights as well as commercial partnerships.
The trophy itself is also iconic, going by its Ksh2 Billion ($20 Million) valuation. It is made up of 18-carat gold and weighs more than 6 kilograms.
It stands at 36 centimetres in height and has a base diameter of 13 centimetres made of two layers of malachite.
Interestingly, the trophy is hollow inside, as it is reported that had it been solid, it would have been too heavy to lift, in spite of its relatively small size.
Not everyone is allowed to touch the trophy, however.
It’s only captains of national teams, winning nations’ players and technical staff, and heads of state who can lay their hands on the real trophy.
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ODM leader Raila Odinga was affected by this strict rule in November 2009, when the trophy arrived in Kenya for public viewing ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Raila, who was the Prime Minister at the time, accompanied the then President Mwai Kibaki to receive the trophy.
Kibaki had an opportunity to lift the trophy but when Raila stretched his hand to have a feel of it, he held it for approximately three seconds before the tight security detail swiftly shoved his hand off the trophy.
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Yet another trophy with high valuation is the Copa Libertadores trophy worth Ksh965 Million ($8.5 million). It is awarded to the winner of the South American Club Champions League.
The FA Cup, the world's oldest competition, also has a trophy worth Ksh134 Million ($1,180,000) while the Ballon d'Or, awarded by France Football Magazine to the World's best player, is valued at Ksh91 million ($805,439).
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