Algerian Olympic Committee plants 1,000 trees to show sporting commitment to the environment

The Algerian Olympic Committee has participated in a project to plant 1,000 new trees ©COA

A total of 1,000 new trees have been planted at the Talented and Elite Athlete Assembly and Preparation Centre in Algiers as part of a project engineered by the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA).

In a collaboration with the National Forestry Department and the Civil Protection Department as well as national sporting federations and local Government officials, the “Plant for Algeria - Plant for the Planet” scheme aims to use sport to draw attention to environmental matters.

Numerous sports personalities from the North African nation participated, including Sydney 2000 Olympic 1500 metres champion, Nouria Mérah-Benida and high jump bronze medallist, Abderahmane Hammad.

Sydney 2000 Olympic 1500 metres champion, Nouria Mérah-Benida (centre), participated in the project alongside her family ©COA

COA President Mustapha Berraf began the planting operation, and hailed afterwards how it shows commitment to use sport to tackle wider issues, such as environmental ones.

"By launching this action, the COA is to highlight the involvement and commitment of the international Olympic movement and Algeria in the field of preservation of the environment and nature," claimed the official, who also serves as vice-president of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

"It will also draw attention to the role of plants and green spaces in the changing climate of our planet, encourage greater respect for plantations and green areas in national sports arenas, and highlight the heritage value of the trees.

"This environmental operation will be followed by other actions under the COA programme in 2015."

The project comes after a strong year for the COA in which they were awarded hosting rights for the third edition of the African Youth Games, in 2018.

Algeria will also be honing its preparations for September's All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, with the nation looking to improve on its 22 gold medal haul, and fifth place on the medals table, at the 2011 event in Maputo, Mozambique.