Bangladesh Girls Cricket.mpg

It's the final of a girls' cricket tournament in Bangladesh. Cricket demands high levels of fitness, co-ordination and self-discipline and this trophy has been fiercely contested by teams from across this highly populated country. Everyone wants to be part of the action.

Here, the buzz is not only about cricket; all those taking part, including spectators, have been learning about HIV and how to prevent new infections. Information has been woven into match commentaries and HIV awareness slogans - Be aware, save yourself - adorn these T-shirts.




Arzoo, Cricket fan, 19 years old:

"HIV is a virus; it enters the human body destroying the immune system. There are many ways of transmitting the HIV virus for example from blood transfusion, unsafe sex and lactating mothers".

Runa, Cricket fan, 13 years old:

"I now know how AIDS is not transmitted, you are not affected by HIV by sharing a meal with an infected person or bathing or socializing with them".

Cricket attracts hundreds of millions of avid followers worldwide, no more so than in South Asia where no opportunity is missed to indulge their passion. THINKWISE is a partnership between the International Cricket Council, UNICEF and that draws upon the extraordinary power of the sport to tackle AIDS issues.

Fun cricketing techniques help these Bangladeshi girls to aim high and grasp life skills. Grassroots cricketing activities are being replicated in India and Sri Lanka too. Youngsters are inspired by their cricketing icons; and Thinkwise has an emblem these girls are proud to wear.

They are more aware of AIDS, the need to tackle stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV and will be able to share knowledge about how they and others can protect themselves.

When they return to their village they will be able to influence others about HIV by talking to friends and family. Captains of leading national cricket teams are playing a leading role in THINKWISE.

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh Cricket Captain:

"You know as cricketers, we have some social responsibilities, we want to leave behind a legacy of social awareness of HIV and AIDS so that young people will get to know more about HIV and AIDS"

These girls have just won their national cricket tournament. The hope is they are not the only winners and that a lasting legacy of the 2011 cricket world cup will be more young people are armed with knowledge that continues to reverse the global spread of HIV.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Bangladesh
• Girls
• Cricket