In a powerful display of unity, purpose, and green consciousness, football fans from 17 African countries converged in Rwanda’s Bugesera District for more than just chants, jerseys, and the beautiful game. Under the blazing sun of Ntarama Sector, a different kind of match kicked off—one between environmental degradation and hope, as hundreds of Arsenal fans dug their hands into the Rwandan soil to plant trees for a greener future.
This landmark tree-planting initiative was a highlight of the 2025 African Arsenal Fans Festival, hosted this year in Rwanda—a country globally recognized for its environmental sustainability and reforestation efforts. As fans cheered, sang, and danced, they also planted life into the land, proving that the spirit of sportsmanship can be extended to the planet.
The event was held in collaboration with Orion Basketball Club, an emerging voice in sports-driven social impact, through their environmental campaign #OneShotOneTreeGreen. This ongoing initiative encourages every athlete, fan, or supporter to plant at least one tree as a symbol of their commitment to environmental health.
“Sports have the power to move masses, inspire nations, and heal communities,” said Eric Ndayisaba, coordinator of the campaign. “What we are doing today is showing that fans, too, can be heroes—off the pitch and into the earth.”
Fans from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, Cameroon, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, DR Congo, Burundi, and host country Rwanda gathered early in the morning wearing Arsenal kits and traditional attire, each person carrying a seedling and a story.
Chinyere Okonkwo, a Nigerian supporter who traveled from Lagos, shared: “Arsenal has taught us about resilience, teamwork, and vision. Today, we’re planting that same vision into the ground—literally. This tree will speak for generations.”
Choosing Rwanda as host wasn’t accidental. The country’s track record in green development, from the banning of plastic bags to the monthly community service program Umuganda, made it the ideal backdrop for this green gesture.
Vice Mayor of Bugesera District in charge of Social Affairs, Imanishimwe Yvette, who joined the Arsenal fans in planting over 400 trees in Ntarama Sector, praised the initiative:
“We are proud to host our African brothers and sisters for a cause that transcends sports. This is how we build climate resilience—together, one tree at a time.”
A total of 400 indigenous trees were planted during the event, each one representing a shared commitment to healing the earth. The site will be maintained in collaboration with local youth cooperatives and monitored through a joint program between the Bugesera District administration and the Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community.
To ensure the trees’ survival, fans were encouraged to ‘adopt’ a tree, tagging them with personal messages and pledging annual visits or remote follow-ups.
This initiative isn’t a one-off. Organizers say the next editions of the festival will continue to include sustainable activities—from clean-up drives to green sports infrastructure proposals. The ultimate vision? To create a pan-African fan-led environmental movement, rooted in football culture.
Bigango Valentin, the President of the Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community, said the event brought tangible impact to Bugesera District:
“This is not just a football festival. It’s a declaration—that we, as fans, can be stewards of the environment. We cheer for our teams, but we also stand up for our planet.”
As the sun set behind the hills of Ntarama, with birds chirping over fresh mounds of soil and fans taking selfies beside their newly planted trees, the day felt like a victory—one not marked by goals, but by growth.
Because sometimes, the best assist doesn’t come from a midfielder on a pitch, but from a fan planting hope deep in the earth.
By Jean De Dieu NDUWAYEZU
