Original World Cup trophy handed to India, says ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday rubbished media reports saying the World Cup trophy presented to champions India was the real one and not the replica.

Media reports suggested that the World Cup, made of gold and silver and valued at $130,000, was lying with the Customs department because of the non-payment of duty on the Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected these allegations, saying the real Cup was handed to the champions.

“Contrary to some erroneous and mischievous media reports, the ICC can confirm the trophy presented to India at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday was the original ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy and the one that was always intended to be presented to the winner of the event,” the ICC statement read.

“There is no question that this was a replica. The trophy presented to India indeed carries the specific event logo of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and has always been the cup that the 14 teams were playing for,” it added.

The ICC said the Cup in the customs’ custody is the “perpetual trophy”, which is used for promotional purposes.

“The trophy seized by Mumbai customs is the promotional, perpetual trophy which remains in the keeping of ICC at its headquarters in
Dubai. It carries the generic ICC corporate logo rather than the logo specific to the 2011 event. That trophy will be reclaimed today and will travel back to Dubai with ICC staff as was always intended,” the governing body said.

Customs sources also admitted they did not know whether the trophy with them is the original or not.

“We don’t know whether it is the original Cup or a replica. But we will release it after payment of 35 per cent customs duty,” customs officials said.