OYDC and WWF hosts Play 2 Conserve Grand Finale

Lusaka, Zambia 29^th October, 2020 – OYDC Zambia Sports Development Centre and the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) will on Saturday 31^st October, 2020 host the much anticipated “Play 2 Conserve” project grand finale. The event will include a symbolic tree planting exercise and performances from local artist.

The OYDC Zambia partnered with the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to run a project dubbed “Play 2 Conserve” aimed at promoting conservation and environmental protection using sport.

The project kicked off in January, 2020 with over 35 sports personnel among them footballers Mary Mwakapila & Jimmy Chisenga, freestyle football star Cecil Chiila and veteran football administrator Chris Chibuye were trained about the project by facilitators from WWF Zambia and Wildlife Environment Conservation Society of Zambia (WECSZ).

The trained conservation ambassadors from the OYDC and WWF have planted over 1000 trees at OYDC and different communities in Lusaka that include Chaisa, Mandevu, Emmasdale, Kabanana, Chazanga, Chipata, Matero and Zingalume. The ambassadors have also been sensitizing the general public on environmental protection and waste management. Over 60,000 youth, women and men from these communities were sensitized about environmental protection through the ‘Play 2 Conserve’ Project.

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development, Minister of Energy, National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) President, OYDC Board of Trustees Chairperson, WWF Zambia Country Director and Wildlife Environment Conservation Society of Zambia (WECSZ) representatives are among the many dignitaries expected to be in attendance at this event.

OYDC Zambia Chief Executive Officer Dr. Fredrick Chitangala says the OYDC is grateful to WWF for the successful partnership and accomplishment of the ‘Play 2 Conserve’ Project. “The Grand Finale that we are hosting this Saturday marks the end of the project. We hope that we can soon embark on another project for our youths to continue influencing environmental protection using sport which the OYDC Zambia does organize. In recognition of the power of sports, OYDC is ready to work with partners such as WWF and WECSZ in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals”. 

And WWF Country Director Nachilala Nkombo says WWF Zambia is passionate about placing young people at the heart of moving the conservation agenda. WWF recognizes the unique challenges the youth may face in doing this and the importance that sport can play in creating this space for their effective participation, “We all have to work toward protection of the environment and replenishment of the resources that we are fast depleting. We therefore call upon all young people around the country, from schools, churches, and local communities to join efforts with us in nature and environmental protection.  We further call upon government to create spaces for the full participation of youths in conservation and nature protection initiatives that are locally sustained, as these also provide an opportunity to create employment opportunities for young people,” Nkombo added.

Nkombo said WWF Zambia has joined other WWF offices around the world to implement the New Deal for People and Nature campaign (ND4PN) aimed at sustainable human and nature interaction for the benefit of both current and future generations. “We urge all Zambians to take interest in the campaign so that we can begin to reverse the adverse effects of environmental degradation that lead to climate change and start implementing climate smart activities to replenish what is lost and protect what we have for equal sustainable development, she said.”

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About OYDC Zambia

The OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre formerly known as the Olympic Youth Development Centre is the leading multisport facility in the region which provides sports programmes and community development opportunities for young people and under-served segments of the population from surrounding communities. It is based on beliefs and experiences that sport and its related facets, when harnessed well in an enabling environment, has the power to bring hope and development.

About WWF Zambia

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries and territories. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @WWFZambia