On Saturday, Ballers4Life (B4L), in collaboration with the Siffoe Village Development Committee, Siffoe Sports Committee, the Alkalo, and the office of the Councillor, hosted its second tree planting event of 2025 in Siffoe, a coastal community in the Kartong Ward. The event, part of the innovative “Goals for Trees” initiative, united B4L Youth League teams, local football clubs, and community stakeholders to plant trees across village households.
The “Goals for Trees” initiative ties environmental action to football. It plants trees for every goal and assist recorded in the B4L Youth League and the Siffoe Sports Committee’s “Nawettan” summer football competition. This synergy results in dozens of trees planted, fostering environmental stewardship among youth and families.
Lamin Bojang, Coordinator of the B4L Youth League Goals4Trees Initiative, emphasized the power of combining football with climate action. “Football engages young people, and linking it with tree planting makes it even more impactful. We aim to expand this initiative nationwide,” Bojang said.
Hon. Bubacarr Kanteh, Councillor for Kartong Ward, praised the participatory approach. “Climate change affects every community. Engaging youth through football is commendable. Families planting trees in their households ensure their care and survival,” Kanteh noted.
Abdoulie K. Jallow, Head Coach of FBK Central, echoed this sentiment. “This initiative shows how football can drive positive change. I encourage more such activities,” he said.
The event highlighted community ownership, with households committed to nurturing the newly planted trees. By integrating local football competitions, B4L amplified the initiative’s reach, making environmental action a collective effort.
Looking forward, B4L aims to scale “Goals for Trees” across The Gambia. Alieu Sowe, B4L Co-founder, shared an ambitious vision: “Imagine a tree planted for every goal and assist in all Gambian football centres over the next five years. This would green our communities and build resilience against climate change.”
As climate challenges grow, initiatives like “Goals for Trees” demonstrate how sports can transcend entertainment, fostering sustainable development and environmental awareness. By leveraging football’s popularity, B4L is planting seeds for a greener future, one goal at a time.
