Since we began celebrating it with Mundus maris, World Ocean Day has been considered a great opportunity to raise awareness in the Hann community about the importance of the seas to our existence as humans.
Indeed, the ocean is the largest connected ecosystem on the planet, covering more than 70% of its surface area.
It is therefore a question of using sport as a means of raising awareness of the imperative to protect our ocean and how to act concretely in favor of its protection, or even the restoration of its health, which is seriously compromised by a multitude of harmful activities including pollution, overfishing, excessive CO2 emissions which heat the water, reduce oxygen and cause acidification of the water, to the great detriment of organisms with calcareous skeletons.
As in previous years, the Association of several football schools in Hann (AMEF), a loyal partner and ally of Mundus maris, celebrated World Oceans Day on June 8, 2025.
The day began with a major cleanup of the Bay. School participation in this major event is considered the best way to engage young people and instill in them the values of environmental responsibility from an early age.
Perhaps this has been mentioned too many times, but it remains true: Children are the future, and engaging them in conservation activities can help create a long-term positive impact.
Let us recall what Babacar Ciss, the representative of Mundus maris, clearly stated several years ago: “It is essential that all athletes be made aware of environmental concerns and protection. Why? First of all, football is a popular sport, which attracts a large number of citizens and to which many young people are particularly attached both for the practice of the sport and as a potential path to social advancement. They follow everything related to sport and the communication efforts surrounding it. Young people under 18 are the hope for a cleaner and better future; they represent half of the population.”
The winning cadet team, Maison Foot
As usual, the tournament was organized into three age groups: the 11-year-old cadets, the 15-year-old category, and the 17- and 18-year-old seniors. A total of 18 teams took part in the competition, including 15 from the commune of Hann Bel Air, two from the commune of Pikine, and one from the commune of Thiaroye. The teams were: Goney Bira, Mamadou Teuw Foot Ball School, Challenge Forr, Olympique Sport Ethics Foot, Goney Mafal, Mame Rokhaya Foot Ball School, Club de l’Amitié, Maison Foot, CPH, Goney Montgne, Vision Foot, Top 11, Goney Fari, Espoir Foot Centre, Degoo Foot Centre, 100% Foot, Dalifort Foot Centre, Manko de Thiaroye.
The winners in the 15-year-old age group
The winners by age group are as follows:
- For the 11-year-old category: Maison Foot
- For the 15-year-old category: CPF
- For the 17-18-year-old category: 100% Foot
The winners of the 18-year-old category
At the trophy ceremony, Babacar Ciss represented Mundus maris. During the tournament’s closing ceremony, the Association proposed a long-term approach to raising awareness. It emphasized the need to plan follow-up activities to maintain momentum. It also encouraged participants to continue their monitoring efforts for the benefit of the ocean.