Trophy Tour reaches Cote d'Ivoire

YAMOUSSOUKRO (Cote d'Ivoire) - The latest stop on the Trophy Tour presented by J9 was Yamoussoukro, the capital city of Cote d'Ivoire that's about a three-and-a-half hour drive from Abidjan.

The African country is making a second straight appearance at the 32-team event. The trophy was taken to several well-known spots in Yamoussoukro and Abidjan over a three-day period

The Naismith Trophy was displayed at the Fondation Félix Houphouet Boigny (above), a research institute for peace that's managed by the UNESCO. 

International basketball's biggest prize also had a photoshoot at the Polytechnic Institute (INSET), the university of the elite of Cote d'Ivoire known for its basketball section and its architecture. 

It was then taken to the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix, the largest basilica in the world. It was consecrated by the Pope Jean Paul II in 1990 and is part of the UNESCO worldwide patrimony.

In Abidjan on Day 2, there was a trophy presentation and photo session at the Cote d'Ivoire Basketball Federation, FIBB President Mahama Coulibaly, Vice President Ouattara Fetigue and other board members were present. 

 

It then had an official presentation at the Sports Ministry with the board members and the Minister of Sports, Claude Danho Paulin.

Trophy at Cosmos Yopougon Mall

The trophy was then taken to Cosmos Yopougon Mall, the largest and busiest mall of Yopougon area in Abidjan where a busy fan activation took place for about three hours.

NCI studios, the first private channel of Cote d'Ivoire, then made a TV appearance on NCI Sports.

Trophy at NCI Studios in Abidjan 

On the third day in Cote d'Ivoire, there was a trophy presentation at the Presidency, where the trophy was introduced to the country's Vice President, Teimoko Meyliet Kone.

The Trophy at the Presidency 

The trophy then made an appearance at Canal + studios, the TV partner of the FIBB.

The trophy was then presented to the minister of the Autonomous District of Abidjan, Robert Beugré Mambe, at his office.

In the afternoon at INJS (the National Institute of Sports and Youth) a fan activation with approximately 120 students took place. The trophy met the director of the school Habib A. Sanago as well as Abbas Diop, a former basketball player who is now assistant director of the high level centre of the INJS.

Finally, the Naismith Trophy appeared at a campaign launch cocktail party at FIBA Africa's headquarters where national team coach Dejan Prokic, former basketball players Abbas Diop, Paul Yao and Alou Maïga), and Mme Chantal Compaoré, the former First Lady of Burkina Faso, were among those present.

FIBA