Business Reporter
QATAR Airways created history yesterday by flying the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final football which is set to raise a significant amount at the November 4 Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) charity gala dinner in The Ritz Carlton.
The ‘Golden Ball’ was given special treatment as a ‘first class passenger’ onboard Qatar Airways Flight QR005 from Doha to London Heathrow ahead of a promotional tour.
The football is set to be auctioned off at the much-anticipated Reach Out To Asia gala dinner.
Intense interest from collectors and football fans around the world is being shown in the countdown to the star-studded gala dinner with news that the official 2006 World Cup final match ball, signed by champions Italy, is to go under the auctioneer’s hammer at the charity event.
Being one of only 20 footballs made for the 2006 World Cup Final in Berlin, the ball up for auction was actually used during the historic match between France and Italy that was watched by tens of millions of soccer fans worldwide this summer.
Certified by FIFA, the name of the final stadium, the teams, the match date and the kick-off time are all recorded onto this ball.
"But what makes the match ball truly ‘one of a kind’ is the addition of the signatures of the entire Italian team including captain Canavarro, striker Materazzi, stalwart midfielder Gattuso and goalkeeper Buffon," a Qatar Airways release yesterday said.
"The ball will undoubtedly be the focus of soccer fans and collectors worldwide, particularly among the millions of passionate Italians, who would undoubtedly be eager to get their hands on such an historic piece of football memorabilia.
"Speculation about the amount of money the ball is likely to raise for the charity is widespread, as Italian football authorities are said to be keen to acquire the ball to display as an historic treasure piece," it said.
The Sotheby’s-run auction takes place during the star-studded Reach Out To Asia gala dinner. Antiques expert Henry Wyndham will conduct the auction on behalf of Sotheby’s.
Absentee bidders from around the world will be able to join in the bidding for the coveted ball, further raising the prospect of a money-spinning auction.
Celebrities, sportsmen, politicians and VIPs will gather in Doha this week for the red-carpet affair to raise funds for ROTA’s various aid projects throughout Asia and the Middle East.
Among the guests attending are Australian-born singer Natalie Imbruglia who will perform on the night, fashion icon Pierre Cardin, South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, legendary Tour De France cyclist Eddie Merckx, Italian Olympic gold medallist Gelindo Bordin, 2006 World superbike champion Troy Bayliss, supermodel Adriana Karembeu and her husband Christian, the former French national footballer.
Along with the former stars of European football, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Gabriel Batistuta, Ronald de Boer and Jay Jay Okacha, they will join guests for what promises to be an evening to remember.
Former England soccer managers Sven-Goran-Eriksson and Glenn Hoddle, together with ex-French national coach Michel Hidalgo will also grace the red carpet event.
A non-governmental organisation based in Qatar, Reach Out To Asia was founded under the patronage of HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Thani and is chaired by HE Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad al- Thani.
Sheikha Mayassa has been the guiding force behind the is charity’s success, helping organise high-profile fund-raising campaigns and visits to regions across Asia to help those in need.
ROTA’s inaugural gala dinner last year, attended by former US president Bill Clinton and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, featured an auction of exclusive items raising a staggering $10mn for worthy causes.
For this year’s event, the World Cup ball has been donated by Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam. It is part of a catalogue of exciting and exclusive lots from prestigious global brands such as Boucheron, Ferrari, Harley Davidson, Maserati and Ducatti.
Organisers expect the auction to surpass the $10mn raised last year.
Jointly founded by Qatar Airways, Qatar Foundation and the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (Dagoc), Reach Out To Asia has raised millions of dollars for worthy causes across Asia.
To donate to the Reach Out To Asia fund-raising drive, pledges can be made to the following bank account: QNB Account: Reach Out To Asia. Account Number: 0035-004919-001 |
