The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) collaborated with the Lilongwe City Council (LCC) to conduct a tree planting exercise along Bypass road in Lilongwe.
FAM held the exercise as one way of fulfilling FIFA Forward Operational Cost criteria on reducing the adverse environmental impact of activities.
The event was attended by the four teams, Malawi, Zambia , Zimbabwe and Kenya that are participating in the Four-Nations tournament.
Speaking after the exercise, the LCC Mayor Richard Banda, highlighted the pressing issues of deforestation and flooding in Malawi as the reason to seek FAM’s assistance in reforestation.
“I am so excited to see all teams, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya coming together and plant trees. You know that Lilongwe City Council we have our own campaign that we need to keep our city clean and green, so that’s the only way we suppose to do” said Banda
Banda has further urged all Lilongwe City residents to emulate what FAM has demonstrated.
On his part, FAM President Fleetwood Haiya said they decided to join tree planting exercise as one way of complementing Government’s efforts of restoring the environment.
“Football is supported and followed by many so we thought it wise that we should also be responsible to our community by joining this exercise” said Haiya
He added “We appreciate government’s efforts of restoring environment and we decided to use this four nations tournament to also remind and demonstrate to people importance of planting trees”.
The four nations tournament which started on 20th March is expected to wind up tomorrow, Tuesday, with a third place encounter between Malawi and Zambia before the final between Zimbabwe and Kenya at the Bingu National Stadium.
