HIV & AIDS awareness - Cricket Tournament 2009

Introduction

Cricket, is the most popular sport & especially the youth of our country have a tremendous passion for the game. Alliance Development Trust (ADT) cleverly uses this medium to reach out & communicate to the youth on HIV & AIDS.

A recently concluded survey report states that with the increase in the spread of HIV & AIDS, there is a considerable danger to the youth of our country. Taking these factors into consideration the ‘Project Positive Team’ of ADT organized a series of six – a – side cricket tournaments, all island. The main purpose of organizing this event was to gather a large number of youth under one roof for the tournament; while they engaged in playing the game, a series of teachings based on HIV & AIDS was conducted. 120 teams registered for this tournament from various parts of the island, with more than 2000 youth taking part in the event as well as, obtaining vital knowledge of HIV & AIDS. Valuable gift vouchers and other gifts were presented to both the winning team and the runners up.

Colombo Cricket Tournament

The Colombo Cricket Tournament was held on the 13th of April 2009 at the Shalika grounds, Narahenpita. The day’s proceedings began with singing of the National anthem and hoisting of the National flag. 65 teams registered for this mega event & over 750 youth participated. The session on HIV & AIDS was conducted by the president of the Lanka Plus Institute which works closely with HIV patients, giving them psycho social support, livelihood and a lot more assistance. The highlight of this tournament was the live cricket commentaries and the live band that played at the grounds throughout the day. After a very closely fought series of matches Calvary Church were adjudged champions and the Four Square Church were the runners up in the men’s division. Calvary Church emerged champions in the girl’s section, too. Valuable gifts were presented to both champions and runners up. More importantly, all the participants acquired significant knowledge of a very dangerous epidemic – HIV & AIDS.

Trincomalee Cricket Tournament

The tournament in Trincomalee was held on the 18th of April 2009, at the Vipulanander College grounds, Trincomalee. This tournament was organized by the ADT with the help of the Gramasevaka, Principal of the Vipulanander College and the pastor’s fellowship Trincomalee.

The day began as customary by lighting of the oil lamp and a word of prayer. Altogether 11 teams participated. Before the matches commenced a session on HIV & AIDS was conducted by staff members of ADT, creating awareness to all those present about this dangerous disease.

AOG Church, Trincomalee (C) team and the Divine Love Church, Trincomalee qualified to play in the final. After a thrilling encounter AOG Church Trincomalee (C) team emerged champions.

Several participants mentioned that by organizing this tournament ADT was able to create a great impact on awareness of the epidemic which is fast spreading among sections of the youth.

Gampaha Cricket Tournament

The Gampaha Cricket Tournament was held on the 28th of May 2009, at the Basilica grounds Gampaha. 39 teams took part at this event. Further, athletic events were included for all the girls, adding more variety and color to the event. Members of the ADT staff conducted a session on how to protect oneself from HIV & AIDS. These sessions were conducted in a simple manner so that everyone could understand. Several youth committed themselves to conduct more awareness seminars in their respective areas so that more youth and parents could benefit from this programme.
Kithusevana, Welisara emerged champions from the Gampaha district while AOG Church Udugampola became the runners up.

The feedback and responses we received were very encouraging. Many voiced their eagerness to actively involve themselves in eradicating HIV & AIDS from their respective regions. The topics discussed were an eye opener to all the youth present at this event. The audience made a commitment to do all they can to eradicate HIV & AIDS from Sri Lanka.