Pakistani teenager to conduct coin toss in Brazil-Costa Rica game

First time a Pakistani will be present on pitch of World Cup match in official capacity

LAHORE: Pakistani teenager Ahmed Raza will be conducting the coin toss in the game between Brazil and Costa Rica in their FIFA World Cup match tomorrow.

This marks the first time a Pakistani will be present on the pitch of a FIFA World Cup match in an official capacity.

Raza hails from a family in Sialkot, whose older members have been crafting hand-stitched footballs for professional leagues across three generations. Raza and his father, Shabbir Ahmed are both football fanatics and his involvement in the World Cup represents the fulfilment of a dream for both father and son.

Raza is a passionate fan of the Brazil football team and their talismanic attacker Neymar Junior and will get his chance to meet his heroes before kick-off.

Coca-Cola is also taking Pakistan’s football team captain Kaleemullah to Russia, with the former FC Dordoi man joining Ahmed on his journey to Moscow.

Coca-Cola has collaborated with two-time Academy Award Winning film-maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy to document Raza’s journey, with the documentary expected to be released next month.