‘ONE MEDAL, ONE TREE’ A SUCCESS
Sea Games green initiative blooms with 235 trees planted
THE “one medal, one tree” programme held in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games and Asean Para Games (KL2017) saw several Malaysian gold medallists planting trees in support of the event’s green initiative yesterday.
The planting of trees was conducted at two locations within the Kuala Lumpur Sports City (KLSC) in Bukit Jalil.
Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who won gold in the polo event, kicked off the programme yesterday.
Khairy said he was happy with the results of the KL2017 green initiative and stressed that such efforts must continue.
“Under the green initiative, we managed to reduce green house gasses by 2,703 tonnes (carbon dioxide). We also recycled 49 per cent of waste from KL2017. The initial target was 30 per cent.
“We also managed to reduce energy usage by 17 per cent or 917,000 kwh through efficient energy management. Our initial target was 15 per cent,” he said.
Khairy added that the green initiative had drawn praise from countries that competed in KL2017.
A total of 235 trees were planted, representing the 145 and 90 gold medals that Malaysia won at the Sea Games and Asean Para Games.
Among the athletes who took part in the event were Qabil Ambak, Tan Ing Yueh, Al Jufferi Jamari, Siti Rahmah Nasir, Ahmad Solihim Mohd Nor, Ziyad Zolkefli, Abdul Latif Romly, Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi and Najib Turano.
Also present were Landscape Malaysia chairman Tun Jeanne Abdullah, Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang, TNB Corporate Affairs and Communications senior general manager Datuk Mohd Aminuddin Mohd Amin and Malaysian Sea Games Organising Committee chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong.