Stars back HIV and AIDS awareness campaign

Cricket stars from across the world will support the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) partnership with UNAIDS and UNICEF at the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 2007, which takes place in South Africa from September 11 to 24, to highlight the situation of children and young people living with and affected by HIV.

The partnership is also receiving major support in South Africa from loveLife – South Africa’s national HIV prevention programme for youth – to engage the youth audience who have become captivated by Twenty20 cricket.

Top players, including South Africa captain Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka and India’s Yuvraj Singh will feature in public service announcements for the ‘Unite for Children, Unite Against Aids’ campaign highlighting how HIV impacts on the lives of young people. This will be made available to broadcasters in 105 countries across the world as well as being watched by fans on the big screens at the 27 matches during the tournament.

Other stars will visit UNICEF and loveLife community-based project activities in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg to promote HIV and AIDS awareness to young people and encourage them to develop life-skills to keep them HIV-free.

And top players are expected to wear red ribbons in selected matches to show their support for people living with HIV.

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara said: “I hope people will listen to cricketers, I hope that our support helps and that it brings a different perspective to building interest in these issues and raising awareness. It’s important to raise awareness any way that you can and if different voices and fresh faces help them that is good.”

South Africa star AB de Villiers added: “I have a very soft heart and to see those innocent children and the way they cope with HIV and AIDS puts a lot of what I do as a cricketer in perspective. I have been involved in a few projects to do with ‘Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS’ in different parts of the world where we have toured and it has been a very worthwhile thing to do.

“I feel a real calling to help wherever I can. The issue of AIDS is close to my heart because of the impact it has had on my country but I think we have a responsibility as high-profile sportsmen to do what we can as it helps to open eyes and it inspires people to do something about the problem. Awareness is a big factor in helping prevent the spread of HIV so the more we talk about it and keep it in the public eye the better.”
India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh added: “Any social cause is important for top players playing any sport because people look up to you and you need to make them understand and educate them about issues relating to HIV. Through the ICC working with UNAIDS and UNICEF, we can deliver important messages to people all over the world.”

Michael Hussey of Australia will also be supporting the campaign. He said: “When I visited an education project in the Caribbean during the ICC Cricket World Cup, I saw for myself the importance of educating young people on HIV and AIDS. UNICEF and UNAIDS play a vital role in addressing this epidemic and by supporting this partnership, by meeting young people and raising awareness of HIV and AIDS, I hope I can personally play a part in reducing discrimination.”

As well as player-related activities, the 500 volunteers working at the event have all received HIV and AIDS education from loveLife health trainers, supported by UNAIDS. There will also be advertising boards at the grounds dedicated to promoting the ‘Unite for Children, Unite Against Aids’ campaign.

The African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/AIDS – a coalition of more than 50 African broadcast companies – will also be supporting the partnership, promoting player visits and event activities related to the partnership.

Cricket is popular in many of the countries that are most impacted by AIDS, including India and South Africa. Together, these two countries are home to around 11 million of the 40 million people estimated to be living with HIV. [ICC release]