The Ecuadorian government have presented the president of the 2006 World Cup Finals Organising Kommittee Franz Beckenbauer with an award of a Knight of Ecuadorian Sport medal while he was visiting Ecuador as part of his World Cup welcoming tour.

Beckenbauer, who arrived on Sunday night for a one-day visit, was also declared an honored guest and received the keys to the city of Quito, from the mayor, Paco Moncayo.

The mayoral ceremony took place on Monday morning in Teleferico, some 3,500 meters above sea level, in the Pichincha volcano.

From Pichincha Beckenbauer went to the seat of government in the Capital Quito, where he was received by Alfredo Palacio, the Ecuador President, who also presented Beckenbauer with the Sporting Knight award.

Beckenbauer joked that he hoped that Germany would not lose its planned World Cup match with Ecuador, adding that he would be happy for Ecuador to beat any other nation.

‘The Kaiser’ (King), as Beckenbauer is known in Germany, then moved to Guayaquil, a city on the Ecuador coast, to have a look at the Ecuador Football Federation's buildings and equipment.

He is due to fly from Ecuador to Paraguay in the early hours of Tuesday morning to continuie his tour, and also to receive an award from the South American football federation CONMEBOL.

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