Eight great years of Global United Climate Kick

WINDHOEK, Mar. 7 – The FNB Global United Climate Kick has been held in all corners of Namibia for the past eight years and Harald Hecht, Chairman of the Global United Charity Trust Namibia advises: “We have seen former professional players from Germany (e.g. Fredi Bobic), England (Terry Phelan), Nigeria (Sunday Oliseh), South Africa (Phil Masinga) and Namibia (Collin Benjamin, Congo Hindjou, Lolo Goraseb) in action, but also players from Ghana, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, USA and Russia. The founder, Lutz Pfannenstiel, former Brave Warriors goalkeeper coach and the only professional player to have played on all six continents, has not missed a single game of Global United in Namibia.”

Harald adds that the team has worked with thousands of learners in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Mariental, Outjo, Otavi, Katima Mulilo, Gobabis and this year Okahandja regarding environmental education (recycling, clean up campaigns, planting of trees, competitions), but also a general change in behavior like turning waste into commodities. “This work has been done using the wonderful global unifier – the game of football – as a platform.”

When looking back at the years in which FNB Namibia has been the anchor sponsor, Revonia Kahivere, CSI Manager at FNB Namibia recalls some of the highlights, which include happy smiles on the faces of people involved, especially the leaners. “This project has grown over the years and has been duly recognized by journalists worldwide and within Namibia. Through Global United several other initiatives have come to Namibia, such as the “Gee Om” CSR campaign of German Bundesliga Club Hoffenheim. Together with the GU team, we have successfully assisted in portraying Namibia as the first country in the world where environmental protection is enshrined in the Constitution.”

Harald concludes: “The support of our title sponsor FNB, has been overwhelming and we are extremely grateful for their unwavering support. We encourage everyone to join us in Okahandja this coming weekend to see Namibian stars such as Congo Hindjou who is also the mayor of Okahandja, Jerome Louis and Athiel Mbaha in action, while the Global United team includes great names such as Fabian McCarthy, Terry Phelan and Matthew Booth again. See you on the 10th of March at 16h00 at the Nau-Aib stadium in Okahandja.”  – NDN Staffer