Ouagadougou: The delegate of the High Council of Burkinabe Abroad in New York, Brice Ouédraogo, spearheaded the inaugural “Green Maracana of the Delegate” (MVD) event from July 17 to 26, aiming to promote environmental awareness through football in the Burkinabe capital.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the first edition of the Maracana Vert du Délégué united eight junior teams from Ouagadougou’s 9th district, culminating in a final match on July 26, 2025. Team Kaza emerged victorious over Radio Omar with a narrow 1-0 win in a match played over two 25-minute halves. The champions were awarded a trophy, 100,000 FCFA, a ball, a set of jerseys, and 15 plants. The runner-up received 50,000 FCFA, a set of jerseys, and 15 plants, emphasizing the event’s eco-friendly theme.

Brice Ouédraogo, the event’s promoter, highlighted the competition’s dual focus on sports and the environment. As a delegate spending time in Ouagadougou, he saw the event as an opportunity to engage youth in physical activity while pro
moting ecological initiatives. He noted the importance of aligning sports with environmental efforts, reflecting the current priorities of local authorities.

The event began with a reforestation effort on July 17 near the Town Hall of District 9 in Silmiyiri, resulting in the planting of 65 plants, each secured with a metal grid for protection. This initiative was supported by the PDS of the 9th district, the town hall’s technical team, and other dignitaries, including Colonel-Major Saidou Ouédraogo and General Kassoum Coulibaly, Burkina’s ambassador to the United States.

A second reforestation activity occurred on July 19, with around 50 seedlings planted at a new site near the Kamboinsin cemetery, again with protective measures. The organizer committed to continuing these efforts to benefit the local community’s well-being.