Vietnam’s recently launched nationwide anti-plastic campaign just got a heavyweight celebrity endorsement.
In a recent video broadcast by national television network VTV, South Korean coach Park Hang-seo of Vietnam’s national football team shares that he and the team were invited to be ambassadors for the country’s movement against single-use plastics, reports VnExpress.
"We have received the offer [to work as ambassadors] from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. With this position, we call each and every one of you to join hands to fight against plastic waste for a green, clean and beautiful environment in Vietnam," coach Park explains in Korean in the video.
He adds that the invitation reached the team during the recent King’s Cup, so they couldn’t join the launch on June 9. Vietnam came in second in the four-team friendly tournament after losing to Caribbean team Curacao during a round of penalty kicks. The video also features several familiar faces from the team, such as goalkeeper Dang Van Lam and midfielder Luong Xuan Truong.
The launch event of the anti-plastic campaign took place on June 9. It was organized by the Ministry of National Resources and Environment and the Hanoi People’s Committee. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc was in attendance and set national goals for the country to reach in the near future.
"Let’s try to ensure that by 2021 stores, markets and supermarkets in urban areas will not use single-use plastic goods; and by 2025, the whole country will not use disposable plastic products," he announced at the event.
As football is Vietnam’s most fiery passion, having national footballers as ambassadors is a smart strategic move to garner more attention for the campaign. Previously, before a V.League match on May 31 between Hanoi FC and Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC, players from both teams displayed a banner showing support for the movement with the text “Going against plastic waste for a green environment.”
[Photo via FIFA]
