World Cup to lend support to Youth-focused HIV Prevention Campaign

Dubai, Mar 6 (UNI) In the light its pledge to fulfil social commitments, the ICC has teamed up with UNAIDS, UNICEF and the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS to highlight the situation of children and young people living with HIV during the World Cup in the West Indies.

More than two billion television viewers are expected to tune in to the seven week-long mega event which begins with an Opening Ceremony on March 11 in Jamaica.

Activities at the event will draw attention to the issues facing children and young people affected by HIV and highlight the resources and actions required to address them.

Indian captain Rahul Dravid and his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting will speak in a series of PSAs about how HIV affects children during the showpiece event, an ICC staement said..

The partnership is part of the ICC's commitment to promoting the Spirit of Cricket and its positive impact on society.

''The Spirit of Cricket is a special part of our game and is a concept that stretches beyond the boundaries of the outfield,'' said ICC President Percy Sonn.

''We hope the range of activities delivered at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 will make a difference to raising awareness and reducing stigma around HIV in the Caribbean and across the ever-growing cricket world. By encouraging high profile players to support this campaign, we hope to be able to engage those who may otherwise be difficult to reach,'' he said.

The ICC will support the Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign launched in 2005 by UNICEF, UNAIDS and other partners through various high profile activities around cricket's biggest event, including speeches in a series of PSAs by Indian captain Rahul Dravid and his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting.

Players and officials from each team will wear the red and blue ribbon of the Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign during their first games and during the final. Players will also visit programmes supporting children and young people affected by HIV.

UNI