- ecoflag -

*Africa Cup of Nations



My local team re-launched Ecoflag activities here during the AFRICAN CUP OF NATION "ANGOLA 2010 ". In this report we share the great moments we spent here with other GSA players during the EGYPT Vs CAMEROON game. Ernest Ndongue and Xavier are among the Ecoflag players featured here inside the PARC DES PRINCES. Report by JEAN PHILIPPE KONO AMOUGOU ? GSA DOUALA TEAM CAPTAIN

*Ecoflag Flies at National Stadium


The first Ecoflag of the year flew again this year at the National Stadium in Tokyo, with announcements calling on the thousands present to become Ecoplayers in their sporting and everyday lives. The event was the 31st All-Japan Women's Soccer Final (Urawa Reds Ladies vs. NTV Beleza), and the 89th Emporer's Cup (Gamba Osaka vs. Nagoya Grampus), and is the highlight of the soccer year in Japan. The Ecoflag appeared on big screen with messages to promote Fair Play and Ecoplay, as well as asking supporters to help with a clean up that took place after the event.

*22nd National Sports and Recreation Festival


A soccer tournament took place on 18-20 November 2009 as part of the 22nd National Sports and Recreation Festival. The tournament was for the over 50s and was split up into 8 groups of teams. The Ecoflag flew alongside FIFA's Fair Play flag. We have benefited greatly from participating in the Ecoflag Moverment and words such as Ecoplay are well known in the area and within local organization. We hope to further expand the Ecoflag Movement in the future.

*All Japan Youth (U-18) Soccer Championship



The 20th Takamadonomiya Cup- All Japan Youth (U-18) Soccer Championship, took place at Saitama Stadium on 12 October. Yokohama F-Marinos Youth beat Jubilo Iwate Youth 7-1 in a goal filled final. The Ecoflag was displayed again this year on the big screen with announcements encouraging players and spectators to become Ecoplayers.

*89th Emperors Cup-2nd Round


V Varen Nagasaki took on Yokohama F-Marinos in the 2nd round of the 89th Emperors Cup on 11 October at the Nagasaki Prefectural Park in Ishihaya City. The Nagasaki Football Federation is a supporter of the Ecoflag Movement, flying the Ecoflag at games and calling on players and spectators to become Ecoplayers.

*Osaka Beach Soccer Festival


The Osaka Beach Soccer Festival took place at the Osaka Sennan Sato Umi Park on 20-22 September. The first day of competition was for the champion class, the second for juniors and the final day for beginners. The facilities were top class, as was the level of play, and inaddition to flying the Ecoflag, participants took part in a clean up of the area. GSA Kyushu/ Okinawa Team Captain, Hiroyuki Ito

*CAF Champions League



Above are a few photos from the 1/16 final match of the CAF CHAMPION'S LEAGUE played at the Reunification Stadium here in Douala between CANON SPORTIF of Yaounde and Primerio d'Agosto of the Angola Republic .Due to the non available of the Yaounde Omnisport Stadium this match was played here in Douala on Monday, 6 April 2009. The visitors from Angola qualified after a 5-4 penalty shoot out. During this encounter the Ecoflag was shared one more time as you can see in the photos. You can also see the ball boys carrying the FIFA Fair Play flag and the team of Canon Sportif of Yaounde that played in this match . Report by Jean Philippe Kono Amougou, GSA Douala Team Captain

*CAF Cup Final 16



We took these photos at the Reunification Stadium on Sunday, April during the CAF CUP 16 final match between Union Sportive of Douala and Tourbillion of Ndjamena from the Chad Republic. Union Sportive beat Tourbillion by 3 goals to 2 and qualifies for the final eight. The match was very interesting and during it some of my team players and myself shared the Ecoflag one more time while introducing about the Ecoflag Movement amongst the spectators. They were more than willing to know more about the movement In one of the photos we are sharing the Ecoflag with Carmax, one of the players from Chad. Report by Jean Philippe Kono Amougou, GSA Douala Team Captain

*Football Match in Cameroon



These photos were recorded last Sunday (22 March 2009) during a match between an old Cameroonian soccer team, Union Sportif of Douala and Fovu of Baham, from the west region of Cameroon. Union beat Fovu 3-1. I am in this photo with one of my team players, Abdon Kingue. As you can see we did our best to promote the Ecoflag Movement, using material we downloaded from the GSA website. Report by Jean Philippe Kono Amougou, GSA Douala Team Captain

*Reunification Stadium, Cameroon


I went to the Reunification Stadium with two of my team players in order to fly the Ecoflag and share the message of Ecoplay to the spectators there . The old stadium that was build in 1972 has had a facelift thanks to a FIFA project called "GAGNER EN AFRIQUE AVEC LA FRIQUE", in cooperation with our football authority, and thanks to that we were able to enjoy watching the Cameroonian Soccer Championship there, while promoting Ecoplay among the other spectators. The game featured Astres Football Club from Douala against MTN Elite, One Tiko United from the South West region of Cameroon. The visitors won 1-0. Report by Jean Philippe Kono Amougou, GSA Douala Team Captain

*Charity Futsal Competition in Club Koshi



We flew the Ecoflag at the 'Charity Futsal Competition in Club Koshi' on 22 February 2009. The event was for all ages and had a strong philanthropic message, with proceeds going to child welfare organizations. We talked to the organizers about adding "Eco" to the "Charity" theme and they agreed with the idea. We also flew the Ecoflag and talked to the participants about the concepts of 'fair play' and 'Ecoplay'. Kazuto Morita, GSA Hyogo Captain

*Ecoflag in Georgia



Now the 17th championship in Futsal is going on in Georgia. At the opening ceremony the importance of the Ecoflag Movement was mentioned and the sportsmen were pleased to support the Movement. Report by Papuna Khidesheli, GSA Tbilisi 2 (Georgia) Team Captain

*Team Zambia Wins First Women's Homeless World Cup


Team Zambia wear the honour of the first Women's Homeless World Cup Champions following their victory over Liberia at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, 7 December 2008. Now settling in back home the world champions remain absolutely ecstatic and their nation proud of their achievements Player Edinasha Mambwe said: "Lots of media companies have gotten in touch with us to find out our opinions and experiences of the whole Homeless World Cup event, and of the results. My country is very happy for the Zambian Team to represent the nation. We have been given the opportunity to participate in other worthwhile causes such as green issues, promote girls and women in sport or gender issues, as well as child abuse, child labour, AIDS and malaria initiatives in Zambia." The players are now focused on the team's hopes and dreams for the future. Team player, Meranda Namafe's dream goal is to secure a scholarship and coach other women in her community: Player Carol Kanyemba is also set on becoming a coach: "My goal is to teach the young how to play soccer in Zambia. This way I can pass on my skills and experience and help others." Report by James Chibuye

*2009 Emperor's Cup



The Ecoflag's first appearance of the year was again at the National Stadium for the National Soccer Championship, called the Emperor's Cup, where messages on fair play and Ecoplay were broadcast to the spectators and players before the game and at half-time. The Ecoflag was also blazoned across the big screen and the various environmental messages focused on using public transportation and separating garbage, as well as promoting the Ecoflag as a symbol of Ecoplay (enriching nature, saving energy and reducing material consumption). Spectators were also asked to help clean up after the event, with many responding to the call.

*Kyushu Senior Soccer Tournament


The Kyushu Senior Soccer Tournament took place in Saito City, Miyazaki Prefecture on 13-14 December 2008. I took part representing Fukuoka Prefecture and managed to win after a grueling contest against a powerhouse team. The event's venue in Saito City will also play host to next year's national Seniors Suporeku Tournament, which is run by GSA Miyazaki, and so we can anticipate seeing the Ecoflag in full force. I certainly hope to be back next year, as a player, and as a GSA Team Captain. The photo shows my team, Miyake Senior Club and Kazumi Hashida, of the Miyazaki Soccer Association. Report by Hiroyuki Ito GSA Kyushu/ Okinawa Team Captain NPO Japan Beach Soccer Network (JBSN) www.jbsn.jp

*Football Match in Lagos


I was able to fly the Ecoflag at a street football contest that took place at the national stadium in Lagos, Nigeria and these pictures were taken also. This was also on the 6th December 2008. This upcoming weekend we hope to have more sporting events and I shall be on hand to fly the Ecoflag also. Report by Akpomena Obaro

*Japan Beach Soccer Festival 2008



Shirarahama in the Kinki region of Japan is a resort popular with tourists nationwide. The Shirahama Beach Soccer Association have utilized this natural resource to promote use of the beach and the sport of beach soccer, which can be enjoyed by all ages and groups. Among these activities is the 7th Shirahama Beach Soccer Tournament took place in perfect weather in October 2008. In line with GSA's goal of tackling global environmental problems through sport, we cleaned the beach and called the participants to "think environment!" Shirahama Beach Soccer Association

*2008 Esperanza Cup U-11


The Esperanza Cup took place again this year on 20 September. In the U-11 competition teams from Nagasaki competed alongside those from Kumamoto. The event is very popular and is well supported by local businesses, organizations and individuals. U-7 to U-14 competitions are also planned and the events are designed to use football as a vehicle to building wellness in the local community and for promoting environmental protection. Report by Seiji Mitsunaga GSA Yatsushiro, NPO Esperanza Kumamoto Sports Club

*Takamadonomia Cup--19th All Japan (U-18) Youth Soccer Championship



The finals of the Takamadonomia Cup--19th All Japan (U-18) Youth Soccer Championship took place at Saitama Stadium on 13 October. The Ecoflag was flying at the event and announcements called on everyone present to use public transport whenever possible and to reduce the amount of garbage produced at the stadium. Ecoflag message: The Ecoflag is the symbol of Ecoplay and is recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). We call on all soccer fans and club supporters to show 'fair play' and Ecoplay: Follow the rules and play fairly, as well as protecting nature and reducing material and energy consumption in our everyday lives. Event site (Japanese)