Thirteen-year-old Upper Hutt resident, Aitken Hawkins has been named the official Sony FIFA Flagbearer for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

As the winner Aitken will receive the ultimate prize from Sony including flights to South Africa with his mum, a two day stopover in Dubai, accommodation, sightseeing throughout their stay, brand new Sony products to use on their trip, and the coveted opportunity to carry the FIFA Flag on to the official World Cup pitch as the New Zealand representative at the All Whites vs Italy game in Nelspruit, South Africa.

Aitken will also have the role of reporting back on his trip to Campbell Live viewers. He will be writing a daily blog and sending through video diaries which will air on Campbell Live throughout his trip.

On Friday Aitken was surprised at his home by a Campbell Live reporter who announced he had won. “I was totally shocked! Mum had told me I had a dentist appointment so I wasn’t expecting it at all! I was optimistic when I had been chosen as a finalist but there were four others who could be chosen so I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much. I am super excited about the trip and still can’t believe I’ve been chosen!” said Aitken.

Aitken was part of a group of more than 100 young football fans who submitted entries as part of a competition held by Sony. He was chosen as one of a group of five finalists who featured on TV3’s current affairs show, Campbell Live. The public were encouraged to vote on their favourite finalist and three judges who included All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, Campbell Live reporter Tony Reid and Sony Managing Director Martin McManus chose the overall winner. The competition received more than 5,000 public votes.

Aitken will head off on his trip-of-a-lifetime with his mum on Wednesday 16 June.

Sony began a worldwide partnership with FIFA in 2007 and believes it is an excellent affiliation for the electronics giant, which manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets.