Former Lija Athletic, Birkirkara, Sliema and Floriana striker Ridha Dardouri has been waiting for over a year to be officially recognised in Malta as a goodwill ambassador in Malta for IIMSAM, an autonomous intergovernmental institution recognised by the United Nations that aims to help save children and adults from malnutrition and hunger.

IIMSAM stands for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition. Headquartered in New York, the institute’s fundraising efforts are mainly focused on supporting the growing and harvesting of the micro-algae Spirulina in India and processing it into an ‘energy-bar’. Thanks to the fundraising work of goodwill ambassadors and other donors from around the world the energy bars are then distributed for free to people in need.

While the energy bars provide all the nutrition needed for 24 hours, Dardouri admits it is not a complete meal and does not satisfy hunger. “This is why IIMSAM needs the support of governments, companies, associations and individuals who can support its efforts by contributing money, food, medicine or clothes,” he adds.

“The latest UN statistics show that the number of people suffering hunger and malnutrition today exceeds 800 million, mostly children. It’s a scary number, and it’s growing rapidly every day,” Dardouri says.

He adds that “over the past three years IIMSAM has managed to save not less than five million children, specifically in Kenya, and our target is to cover the needs of at least 40 million children by 2030”.

Dardouri has been unable to conduct any activities in Malta as his appointment has not been officially recognised by the Maltese government

Goodwill ambassadors’ role is to raise awareness of the dangers of poverty, hunger and malnutrition around the world and to raise funds to support IIMSAM’s mission.

Although he was appointed as an IIMSAM goodwill ambassador in Malta in October 2016, unfortunately Dardouri has been unable to conduct any activities in Malta as his appointment has not been officially recognised by the Maltese government.

There are similar goodwill ambassadors all around the world, including former number 1 tennis star Monica Seles, and international fashion designer Carolina Herrera. But Malta’s Foreign Affairs Ministry informed Dardouri that it only recognises ambassadors of states, not intergovernmental ambassadors.

“Besides the direct moral support for our cause, recognition makes us eligible to organise activities, events, and ultimately raise funds to achieve our humane goals. We’ve been recognised by most governments in Europe, the US, Gulf countries, Latin America and Africa. As a Maltese I believe this appointment is something prestigious and honourable for Malta,” says Dardouri.

Faced with this situation the only solution was to request a meeting with the Prime Minister and the President. “The Office of the President referred me back to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and I did not receive any reply from the OPM. It has already been one year. I am eager to meet them as soon as possible,” he says.

Dardouri’s footballing career

• Ridha Dardouri was one of the most prolific foreign strikers to ever play in Malta, scoring a total of 75 goals.

• Arriving in Malta from Tunisia aged 20, he started his footballing career with Lija Athletic in 1992-1993. He spent four seasons at the club, helping the team win three consecutive promotions from Division Three up to the Premier League.

• He was also Lija Athletic’s top scorer and was recognised as the club’s best player.

• In 1995-1996 he joined Birkirkara FC for what was then a record-breaking transfer fee but soon after was loaned to Sliema Wanderers FC. He helped Sliema Wanderers to win the 1995-1996 Premier League title and spent two seasons at the club.

• In 1997-1998 he was loaned to Naxxar FC.

• Between 2000-2003 he played for Marsa FC.

• He ended his playing career in 2004-2005 with Floriana FC.

• He returned to football as a sports director with Sliema FC and in 2012 joined Mosta FC as assistant coach of the first team.

What is IIMSAM?

• An intergovernmental autonomous organisation that is a Permanent Observer to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the six principal organs of the United Nations;

• Officially granted this status under ECOSOC Resolution 2003/212 dated March 5, 2003;

• Headquartered in New York, with another office in Dubai;

• It is headed by: Remigio Maradona (secretary-general);

• Seeks to support in particular UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” (which is supposed to be reached by 2030).

What is Spirulina?

• Spirulina is a blue-green algae that grows naturally in fresh and salt water lakes, ponds, rivers and seas in warm climates.

• It has been consumed as a food for centuries in central Africa and even by the Aztecs in South America.

• It is available in powder, capsule or tablet form.

The UN on Spirulina

• In 1993, the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) described Spirulina as “an interesting food for multiple reasons, rich in iron and protein, and is able to be administered to children without any risk”, considering it “a very suitable food”.

• In 2008, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report on Spirulina said: “There is a need for both national governments and inter-governmental organisations to re-evaluate the potential of Spirulina to fulfil both their own food security needs as well as a tool for their overseas development emergency response efforts.”

Spirulina – pros and cons

On the internet one finds both supporters and critics of Spirulina. While supporters de­scribe it a “superfood” and a “miracle food from the sea”, critics denigrate it as “pond scum” and that its nutritional benefits are super inflated.

Pros

• It has high nutritional value, containing numerous essential minerals and vitamins, and is high in protein, amino acids, lipids and antioxidants.

• Gram for gram, Spirulina claims to be the single most nutritious food on the planet. With around 70 per cent protein content, Spirulina yields 20 times more protein per unit area than soybeans, 40 times more than corn, and over 200 times more than beef.

• Besides being used to feed malnourished people in developing countries, Spirulina is also widely used worldwide as a nutraceutical food supplement and a food colouring agent. 

Cons

• Although there are various published studies indicating health benefits from consuming Spirulina there are also reports of contraindications.

• The US National Institute of Health (HIH) says there is still not enough scientific evidence to determine that Spirulina is effective in treating any health conditions.

• There is a risk of Spirulina becoming contaminated with heavy metals, harmful bacteria and other toxins if grown in unsafe conditions.

• In fact, on June 11, the Maltese health authorities issued a warning after sulphites were detected in batches of a brand of Spirulina powder.