Since about 10 years, Mundus maris supports World Ocean Day celebrations with the football clubs in Hann, Senegal. It’s a trusted cooperation aiming not only to advance the learning and potential the social advancement of the young boys, but also make the connection between a healthy body and mind and a healthy environment. The now sprawling town of Hann used to be the holiday resort during colonial times because of its outstanding beauty and cleanliness. In more recent years, as a result of absent of poor public garbage management in the face of strong population increases, the beach was often so polluted with garbage and other discharges that teachers and pupils during a school excursion were amazed and saddened.

Gabou coordinating the beach clean-up

This is why the beach clean-up of the football schools under the leadership of Babacar Ciss, known commonly as Gabou, is more than a symbolic gesture. This is also why in 2026 the now classical football tournament finals have not taken place on a more ordinary pitch in town, but on the beach with a view to the ocean.

Gabou insists very much on continuously strengthening the network of all the football schools. The network now reaches well beyond Hann and its ‚Friendly soccer network‘.

This year, also teams from nearby Dakar and Thiaroy were also part of the tournament and associated festivities. A major motivation is connecting sport and competition with environmental responsibility and solidarity.

This year the list of participating clubs reads a bit like the Who-is-Who:

01_ Gueney Fary
02_ Top 11
03_ Vision Foot
04_ Diego Adeline
05_ B2 Sport
06_ G. Montagne
07_ Académie Maison Foot
08_ Centre Perfection de Hann (C.P.H.)
09_ Club de l’Amitié
10_ Horizon Foot
11_ Gueney Mafall
12_ École Mamadou Teuw
14_ Gaima de Dakar
15_ FC Mbao
16_ Tefess de Thiaroye

Organising much of the tournament on the beach also meant there was enough space for the crowds to gather and fire up their preferred team. It also meant that a big sustained effort was needed beforehand to clean and clear the spaces needed for the festivities.

Says Gabou: „Indeed, this year we deliberately organized certain sports activities directly on the beach to align them with the theme of environmental protection and World Ocean Day.

The goal was to bring participants closer to the natural environment we aim to preserve and to create a direct link between awareness-raising initiatives, the beach cleanup, and the sports activities.“

This is a great way to translate this year’s UN motto „Reimagine. Beyond the World We Know, A New Relationship With the Ocean.“

So the Association established an environmental competition with a new prize this year to recognise particular environmental engagement of the youngsters, called „Kaysett“.

Indeed it recognises outstanding engagement for the environment and for responsible citizenship.

The first winner of the Prize Kaysett was 13 year old Pape Diop. You see him on the right proudly showing off the trophy.

Of course the football games in the entire tournament are not to be forgotten. They are, naturally, the principal attraction.

The contest took again place in several age groups, from the youngest, through U15 to the young adults of U19.

Winners of the U15 Tournament: Académie Maison Foot, here with a small group posing in front of the World Ocean Day poster

The winner of the championship in the age group U15 was Académie Maison Foot, where Gabou is tirelessly working for the advancement of the youngsters. Second came the team of Gueney Fary.

Winner in the category U19 was the team of FC Mbao

The winner of the championship in the age group U19 was the team of FC Mbao, already acting almost like professionals. Centre Perfection de Hann (C.P.H.) came second with equal ambition.

Concluding his appreciation of another successful World Ocean Day event, Gabou remarks: „This is a very important day for us and for Mundus maris. It reflects our commitment to ocean protection and raising awareness among young people. In this spirit, Mundus maris has allocated a budget of 500,000 to support this wonderful initiative.

We would also like to extend special thanks to the Sama Sa Momel and Sama Gokh associations, whose guidance and involvement contributed significantly to the success of the day. Their support helped reinforce the values ​​of solidarity, sharing, and community engagement championed by this event. This wonderful day successfully combined sports, environmental education, and civic engagement for the benefit of all participants.“