OUAGADOUGOU — Mano Israel emerged as the champion in the over 98 kg men’s combat category at the first edition of the national Sambo competition, a martial art of Russian origin, held on Saturday in Ouagadougou.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the competition, which took place in their martial arts hall, saw the participation of 48 athletes from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Russia. Israel clinched the title by defeating his opponent, Leila Abdoul Malick, in a keenly contested final in the men’s over 98 kg combat category.
The national Sambo competition, organized by the Burkinabe Sambo Sports Association in partnership with African initiatives and a Russian-Burkinabe association, represents a confluence of various martial arts disciplines including boxing, wrestling, judo, and karate. This event marks a significant milestone in promoting Sambo in Burkina Faso and in the region.
Mano Israel, a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) practitioner, is not new to the international martial arts scene. He was previously crowned the world champion of Viet vo dao in 2019 in Marseille, France, and secured the vice-champion title in the same discipline in 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. His victory in this inaugural Sambo competition adds another accolade to his impressive martial arts career.
MOMBASA – Residents and environmental conservationists in Mombasa have been encouraged to intensify their tree-planting efforts as part of a government initiative aimed at increasing tree cover in the County. This call was made during a mangrove tree planting event in Tudor Creek, Mombasa.
According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke at the event, deforestation has led to significant environmental issues, particularly along the coastline. Mwiwawi highlighted that areas along the creeks on the island have been transformed into unconventional living spaces and waste disposal sites. He expressed concern about the adverse environmental impacts, including the conversion of these areas for activities like illicit liquor brewing.
The DCC, who participated in the mangrove afforestation alongside the Taita Taveta Wungara social welfare group, noted that Tudor Creek was specifically chosen for the initiative due to the significant destruction of its mangrove cover, estimated at 30 percent. Mwiwawi announced that 300 trees were planted during the day’s event and shared the county’s ambitious goal of planting 7.5 million trees over the next decade. This target is part of a broader effort to preserve the environment in Mombasa.
Mwiwawi also urged key stakeholders in the County to support social welfare groups in their conservation efforts, emphasizing the need for assistance in acquiring seedlings to boost tree planting activities across the County. This call aligns with the Presidential Programme for Accelerated Restoration of Forests and Rangelands, launched on November 13, 2023, which aims to plant 15 billion trees nationally over ten years.
Festo Msavarie, Deputy Chairperson of the Taita Taveta Wungara Social Welfare Group, echoed Mwiwawi’s sentiments, advocating for stronger collaboration between social welfare groups and government bodies in environmental conservation. Msavarie stressed the collective responsibility of citizens in conserving the environment, not only for current benefits but also for the future generations.
The event marks a significant step in the collective effort of Mombasa County, its residents, and various groups towards achieving a greener and more sustainable environment.