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World Cup mascot has gala time in Dubai

Zakumi, the official mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, enjoyed an action-packed holiday in Dubai as he counts down the last few days to the kick-off of the biggest event on the world sporting calendar.

He flew in with Emirates and was welcomed to the airline’s home base by cabin crew representing each of the 32 nations taking part in the soccer spectacle in South Africa. The fun-loving leopard was in no mood to take a break from football, though, and quickly rounded up some of the crew for a kick-about at the Dubai International Airport.

He was then given the VIP treatment from South African cabin crew members Cindy Speirs and Gillian Scott who were in no doubt that he would have a ball in Dubai. “Like Zakumi, all the football fans travelling with Emirates are going to get a great welcome,” said Cindy, from outside Durban, who believes Emirates’ multicultural crew will help make the journey to her homeland extra special.

“The crew is made up of more than 120 different nationalities and we are all really looking forward to connecting the world with South Africa.”

Emirates – an Official Partner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ – rolled out the red carpet for Zakumi and whisked him on a whistle-stop tour of all Dubai’s top spots before giving him a bird’s-eye view of the emirate from the helipad of the iconic Burj Al Arab.