Indonesia: Cristiano Ronaldo named mangrove ambassador

Antara 26 Jun 13;

Bali (ANTARA News) - Indonesia named world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as mangrove ambassador here on Wednesday, marked by presentation of an ambassador certificate at a Save Mangrove Save Earth event at Ngurah Rai People`s Forest Park in Telagawaja by the country`s minister of forestry, Zulkifli Hasan.

The event was witnessed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Mrs Any Yudhoyono, all cabinet ministers, the governor of Bali and provincial administration officials.

According to tales, Ronaldo has been motivated to become the mangrove ambassador because of a report in the social media about Martinus who had been saved in the tsunami disaster in Aceh in 2004 only after he was hooked in a mangrove tree wearing a T-shirt with the name C Ronaldo on it.

In his short speech President Yudhoyono on the occasion invited all communities to look after forests including mangrove forests to save the earth and make it to remain green.

He expressed appreciation to the spirit of the Balinese people to plant, look after and make the province green.

At the end of the ceremony Cristian Ronaldo plant a mangrove tree along with President Yudhoyono, First Lady Any Yudhoyono and Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan.
(Uu.H-YH/S012)

Editor: Priyambodo RH

Ronaldo "in love" with mangrove trees: Indonesian minister
Antara 26 Jun 13;

Tanjung Benoa, Bali (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan said Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is "in love" with mangrove trees.

Ronaldo was inspired by the story of a seven-year-old boy named Martunis who survived the deadly tsunami in Aceh because he had been stuck in mangrove trees, the minister said during the launch of "save mangrove" campaign led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and attended by Ronaldo, here, Wednesday.

Martunis was wearing a red-and-green Portuguese team jersey with Ronalo`s name on it when he was found in a beach after he had floated at sea for 19 days.

"And since then, Ronaldo has been quite close to Martunis and mangroves," the minister said.

Ronaldo visited Martunis in Aceh in 2008 and give him scholarships for education.

"Ronaldo also once gave Martunis a mobile phone, which was later gone," the minister.

Minister Hasan on the occasion presented a certificate naming Ronaldo as an envoy for the preservation of mangroves.

"Thank you President Yudhoyono. I am pleased to come to Indonesia. Hopefully our event in Bali could spread our mangrove preservation message," Ronaldo said.(*)

Editor: Heru

Ronaldo 'falling in love' with mangroves, a minister says
The Jakarta Post 26 Jun 13;

We meet again: Real Madrid’s soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (right) poses with Martunis in Bali, on Wednesday. Martunis is a boy who was dragged away by the tsunami waves in 2004 but managed to survive after getting caught on mangroves. (JP/Anggara Mahendra) We meet again: Real Madrid’s soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (right) poses with Martunis in Bali, on Wednesday. Martunis is a boy who was dragged away by the tsunami waves in 2004 but managed to survive after getting caught on mangroves. (JP/Anggara Mahendra)

Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan said Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo had “fallen in love” with mangroves.

At a campaign event on Wednesday to save mangrove forests, Zulkifli explained why the world famous soccer player loved the mangroves.

“It’s related to the Aceh tsunami and Martunis, a boy who was dragged away by the tsunami waves but who managed to survive after getting caught on mangroves,” said Zulkifli as quoted by Antara news agency.

The images of Martunis, an elementary school student who was buffeted for 19 days in waters surrounding a mangrove forest went viral on social media sites.

Martunis was wearing a soccer shirt emblazoned with the name of his hero, Ronaldo, who plays for Spanish soccer club Real Madrid.

“It was because of that incident that Ronaldo now feels so close with Martunis and the mangroves,” said Zulkifli.

Ronaldo previously went out of his way to meet Martunis in Aceh and offered him a scholarship. “He was also given a handphone by Ronaldo, but he has since lost it,” the minister said.

Martunis, who is now a teenager and loves playing soccer, was invited to attend the mangrove-planting event entitled Save the Mangroves, Save the Earth, which was attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Ronaldo.

“Here you are, Martunis. Come on in, shake hands with Bapak President and Ronaldo,” Zulkifli said when welcoming Martunis to the event.

After introducing Martunis to the President and his soccer hero, Zulkifli went on to present a Mangrove Bali Ambassador certificate to Ronaldo.

In his short remarks after the ceremony, Ronaldo said that when national entrepreneur Tomy Winata had asked him to become the Mangrove Bali Ambassador, he was immediately interested.

“Thank you Mr. President. I am very happy to be in Indonesia. I hope my role in Bali can strengthen the message to save mangroves," Ronaldo said. (ebf)