Goals For Trees Initiative Launched

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200 Trees Planted During the Inaugural Launch of the “Goals for Trees” Initiative.

The B4L Youth League, BK West United, and Jarisu Talents Football Academy, in collaboration with the Kombo East Youth and Children Development Alliance (KEYCDA), have officially launched the “Goals for Trees” initiative in Talokoto Village, located in the Kombo East District of the West Coast Region on Saturday 17th August,2024.

The primary objectives of this initiative are to harness football’s influence for climate action, encourage sportsmen and fans to plant trees, mobilize environmental stewards, and regenerate lost forests. This ongoing project aims to foster environmental responsibility within communities.

“We’re delighted to partner with KEYCDA, a reputable and consistent youth and sports organization, to grow more trees across the region and use the influence of football to mobilize grassroots actors to support this endeavor,” said Lamin Bojang, Coordinator of the Goals for Trees Initiative under BK West United. “If you look around, the development of football fields takes up a lot of space. In this process, we cut down trees, and this affects the environment. Engaging in such innovative schemes—by planting a tree for every goal scored at our football games and across all summer ‘Nawettan’ football zones in the region—will greatly contribute to creating greener communities and building the climate resilience of our communities,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of KEYCDA, Binta Gibba emphasized, “This is a noble venture. Imagine a tree for every goal scored at our football competitions over the next 10 years. This will significantly contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. As a youth-led organization with chapters across the region, participating in this initiative will also foster community ownership, where more environmental stewards can be nurtured to take this initiative to the next level. We’re calling on every stakeholder to join us in this endeavor to grow more trees and protect our planet.”

Mr. Cherno Barry of BK West United highlighted the broader social impact of the initiative, stating, “Football is one of the sports that has the power to bring about many positive social impacts on our communities. Creating a greener planet, one goal ⚽️ at a time, is unprecedented. Using football to engage the youth as stewards of the environment is a sustainable solution in building smart leaders who will be conscious of their environmental responsibilities. We use the occasion to donate footballs to the partner communities to support young people to play football. We’re excited to undertake this initiative year-round and across the country.”

The Importance of Leveraging Football for Positive Social Impact

Football, often referred to as the world’s most popular sport, has an unparalleled ability to unite people across different backgrounds and cultures. This universal appeal makes it an ideal platform for driving social change. The Goals for Trees initiative is a prime example of how football can be harnessed to address critical global challenges like climate change.

By integrating environmental stewardship into football, the initiative not only promotes physical activity and community engagement but also instills a sense of responsibility towards the planet among young people. Football’s vast reach can inspire many to take small, meaningful actions, such as planting a tree, that collectively have a profound impact on the environment.

Moreover, initiatives like this create opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills and a sense of purpose as they contribute to building a more sustainable future. In regions where the effects of climate change are particularly severe, such as the West Coast Region of The Gambia, combining sports with environmental activism can lead to transformative outcomes for both communities and ecosystems.

The Goals for Trees initiative is not just about planting trees; it’s about planting the seeds of change—using the power of football to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will champion the cause of sustainability for years to come.

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Baboucarr Fallaboweh
Baboucarr Fallaboweh Sports Editor (Buba Jallow Fallaboweh) is a Gambian football expert, football analyst & columnist. The Stockholm-based Journalist is a media officer, football Scout, PR, Influencer and Digital creator. I started my journalism career as a football analyst in 2012 with Vibes FM and went on to work with CityLimit, West Coast, Hot FM, Freedom Radio, Eye Africa and Afri Radio as a content producer and presenter. In 2013, I attended Football Daily on the BBC SPORTS where we discussed the different styles of Football played in Africa. I Went on to freelance for The Point Newspaper, Freedom Newspaper, Daily Observer and Standard Newspaper before being appointed as Sports Editor with the Alkamba Times in March 2022.  I have worked for Magazines like Glo Magazine and Foot54 covering Gambian football and African Football.   Between 2020 -2021 I worked as a scout for the Gambia Football Federation, scouting talents for the U17 &U20.  From 2017 to 2021, I served as Media officer for GFF First division teams Team Rhino and Marimoo and also as media Officer of Banjul FC, fourth Division tier in Sweden and Darboe’s FC (Female second division club in the Gambia). I served as a PR for Superstars Academy.   With Afrencon, I was a data analyst before I joined LightHouse as a head scout for the Gambia project. In organizational structures, I served as the ambassador of the John Bass Kidney Foundation and one of the founders of the foundation creating kidney awareness in the Gambia.   I also served two positions in the Gambian organization in Sweden, as Sports chairman and the secretary of the associations.   After 12 years of being a football journalist, I was named 3rd best sports column writer in Africa year 2021 by the reputable sports media organization AIPS. I finished in the top 35 in the world with my article titled Back way: Gambian footballers in deadly Voyage to Europe.   With over 500 articles and interviews, analysis, profiling, features and news, I was shortlisted for the Gambia Press Union National Journalist Award 2022. I submitted the article which was co-written alongside Momodou Bah From Living Through Despair to Being An Agent Of Hope, The Inspiring Story Of John Bass.   I have served as an advisers to Football academies, clubs, and players and others. I have hosted dozens of shows and was invited as a guest on both radio, TV and the online press. I also covered the Gambia's maiden AFCON debut in 2021 in Cameroon.  

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