Kazan, Russian Federation was the host of the 27th Summer Universiade — World University Games. The event attracted 11 000 young athletes from more than 160 nations competing in 27 sports from artistic gymnastics to wrestling.

With this backdrop an HIV prevention project called Games for Health. Games for Life was launched. Around the world about 2300 people aged 15-24 become infected with HIV every day and many of the young people living with HIV are unaware of their HIV status. In the region where the Games took place (Eastern Europe and Central Asia) the number of people living with HIV has almost tripled since 2000.

As part of the launch of Games for Health. Games for Life,  35 000 HIV prevention hand-outs were distributed to participants and volunteers. And some 8000 volunteers participated in information sessions about HIV where they discussed issues such reducing stigma and discrimination and promoting the rights of people living with HIV.

The results of this HIV prevention initiative were presented to the next Universiade organizing committee and will be shared with the organizers of major upcoming sporting events including the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

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UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management and Governance, Jan Beagle (3rd left) participating in the THINK WISE events organized for the 2013 Champions Trophy final at the Edgbaston stadium. Credit: Getty images

The final match of the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy tournament held on Sunday 23 June in Birmingham, UK was dedicated to the THINK WISE HIV awareness campaign—a partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), UNAIDS and UNICEF that uses the power of cricket and cricket players to reach out to large numbers of people—particularly young people—on AIDS issues.

The final also marked the ten year partnership between ICC and UNAIDS, whose joint work commenced in 2003. UNICEF joined the partnership in 2006 and in 2009 the three partners initiated the THINK WISE awareness campaign.

As England and India battled out the 2013 Champions Trophy final at the Edgbaston stadium, THINK WISE was promoted throughout the stadium via public service broadcasts, boundary banners, promotional leaflets and through the special Final commemorative match programme, also dedicated to the 10-year AIDS partnership.

Noting the success of the 2013 Champions Trophy THINK WISE activities, ICC President Alan Isaac said, “It brings me great pleasure that the ICC’s partnership with UNAIDS and UNICEF is flourishing. Through the THINK WISE initiative, we are sending a message to the world about the importance of getting the facts about HIV and stopping stigma towards people living with HIV.”

The THINK WISE campaign, which emphasizes the key messages ‘Get the facts about HIV; Protect yourself; Stop stigma’ has been profiled throughout the 2013 Champions Trophy with dedicated matches, site visits and coaching clinics with the players and other promotional activities. During the final game both teams as well as match officials and ICC and staff from the English Cricket Board wore red ribbons to raise awareness about the stigma surrounding people living with HIV.

UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management and Governance, Jan Beagle, attended the final. She walked out on the pitch with the teams for the National Anthems, together with the ICC President, the Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board and two representatives of people living with HIV, to show solidarity with people around the globe living with HIV.

Commending the ICC on its commitment to AIDS awareness Ms Beagle said, “I am moved to see the dedication of the ICC and cricket players to promoting HIV prevention and reaching zero discrimination for people living with HIV. UNAIDS firmly believes in the ability of the THINK WISE partnership to be a powerful force for change, for more equitable and inclusive societies—within the ICC family, in communities and across countries.”

As at previous ICC international cricket tournaments, throughout the Champions Trophy international players from a selection of teams took time out to take part in THINK WISE coaching clinics and site visits. For example, the West Indies and New Zealand teams welcomed school children from London and Cardiff to special coaching sessions where they learned valuable cricketing tips and exchanged information on HIV prevention and stigma. Members of the England and South African international teams visited the Terrence Higgins Trust where they met with people living with HIV and some team members opted to take rapid HIV tests.

60 children from three London schools had the chance to learn cricketing skills from the West Indies team as part of the THINK Wise initiative. 5 June, 2013 in London, England.
Credit: ICC/Getty Images

Cricketing greats from around the world have once more teamed up to promote HIV prevention and anti-stigma messages as part of the global THINK WISE campaign on AIDS. The initiative will run through the 2013 International Cricket Council’s Champions Trophy Tournament taking place from 6-23 June in England and Wales.

A partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), UNAIDS and UNICEF, THINK WISE uses the power of cricket and cricket players to reach out to large numbers of people—particularly young people—on AIDS issues. The partnership will be profiled at the prestigious international tournament through dedicated matches, site visits and coaching clinics with international players and other promotional activities.

“I am delighted once again that the ICC is partnering with THINK WISE to continue promoting the importance of HIV awareness,” said ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson.

Celebrating ten years of the ICC working with its UN partners on AIDS, the ICC is dedicating six of the Champions Trophy matches—including the Final—to THINK WISE. Messages on the importance of HIV prevention and the elimination of stigma towards people living with HIV are the central focus of the campaign.

Over the years, THINK WISE has inspired many leading cricketers to join efforts to promote HIV prevention and reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Current and former players who have championed the campaign include Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Graeme Smith (South Africa), Stafanie Taylor (West Indies), Darren Sammy (West Indies), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) and Virender Sehwag (India).

“As we mark 10 years of action on AIDS through cricket, we have seen how cricket can unite billions of people across the globe. The THINK WISE global cricket AIDS partnership and the inspiring involvement of cricketing greats gives important profile and builds momentum towards changing and saving lives,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel sidibé.

At THINK WISE matches, all participating teams and officials wear red ribbons as a sign of solidarity with people living with HIV. A public service announcement featuring Kumar Sangakkara and Virender Sehwag will be screened at selected tournament matches, THINK WISE messages will feature on the boundary boards and information about the campaign and HIV prevention will feature in match programmes.

During the tournament, players from England, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies will undertake specific AIDS awareness-raising activities with people living with HIV and young people.

Through interactions with the cricket players, the 60 children also had the chance to learn about HIV-related issues. 5 June, 2013 in London, England. Credit: ICC/Getty Images

West Indies urge children to THINK WISE

On the eve of the 2013 Champions Trophy opening, West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo and team-mates Darren Sammy and Jason Holder held a special coaching clinic at the Oval in London as part of the THINK WISE partnership activities. The trio attended the clinic alongside fielding coach Andre Coley and took part in a session delivered by UK NGO Cricket Without Boundaries.

Through interactions with the cricket players and coach, 60 children from three London schools had the chance to learn cricketing skills, while also understanding the background of THINK WISE and learning about HIV-related issues.

“It’s very important to get kids aware of HIV at an early age, just like sport, the earlier you get involved in something the quicker you learn about it. It’s good that THINK WISE is taking the initiative to educate children about HIV and I really enjoyed the experience,” said Dwayne Bravo

Jason Holder who is at his first senior ICC men’s tournament, added: “I think that THINK WISE is a very good imitative and it’s great that these three organisations, the ICC, UNAIDS and UNICEF, have come together for this tournament. Hopefully the partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength for years to come.”

The ICC Champions Trophy, featuring Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies, will be played over 18 days from 6 -23 June.

World class footballer and UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Michael Ballack played his official farewell game at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany on 5 June.
Credit: EiB, Andreas Schulz 2013

An era in football has drawn to a close as world class footballer and UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Michael Ballack played his official farewell game at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany on 5 June. The charity event, which drew a crowd of more than 45 000 fans, was Michael Ballack’s way of thanking his devoted fans for their support throughout his career.

The proceeds of the charity game will be donated to football youth work as well HIV awareness and prevention work. Michael Ballack also acknowledged the natural flood disaster in his home region and spontaneously donated 100 000 euros to help support the re-construction.

The celebrated former German captain was joined by a host of world class stars as he pitched his ‘Michael and Friends’ team against a squad of top international players and stars. Competitors included Didier Drogba as well as Michael Essien and Andrij Schewtschenko and former Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher. The teams were coached by Jose Mourinho and Rudi Voeller.

A mix of influential leaders from the worlds of sport, entertainment, politics and the arts also attended the match to pay tribute to Michael Ballack’s glittering career in football.  Executive Director of UNAIDS and avid football fan Michel Sidibé took the opportunity to congratulate Mr Ballack on both his sterling achievements on the field and his dedication to the growing global efforts to get to an AIDS-free generation.  He said, “Michael is a captivating football player—and an inspirational leader for millions of young people around the world. Tonight is not all about Ciao Capitano–it’s about looking to the future as his journey continues with UNAIDS. His dedicated support will help us reach our goal of getting to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.”

Michael Ballack, known for his leadership on and off the pitch, spoke emotionally to his fans, “You are the ones that make football a great game and I am forever grateful for having had the amazing privilege of sharing my career and love of the game with you."

For the past 7 years Michael Ballack has used his international reputation to convey important HIV prevention messages, empowering young people and helping save lives. He recently travelled to South Africa with the Executive Director of UNAIDS to learn more about the epidemic, visiting local projects and meeting people living with and affected by HIV.  Michael Ballack will continue his work with UNAIDS and is planning to undertake more field missions in near future.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, shares a moment with Florence Ngoqo, left, and Thabang Lebese’s 101-year-old maternal grandmother, right.
Credit: UNAIDS/M.Safodien

Thabang Lebese was a little boy who grew up in Orlando East, Soweto. From an early age he could kick a ball—dazzling his family with his talent on the pitch. It didn’t take long before he was given the opportunity to join one of the major football clubs in South Africa and by the age 15 he was playing for the Kaizer Chiefs’ junior team.

Thabang played 279 Premier Soccer League (PSL) games in his 13-year long career. He was one of a handful of players to have played for the big teams: Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Moroko Swallows. He was a much-loved and celebrated player and people today still remember him for his trademark victory dance after scoring a goal.

Then, in early February 2012, Thabang was admitted to Helen Joseph Hospital complaining of a ‘stiff neck and terrible headache’. Days later—on 12 February 2012—he died. Two weeks after his death his family publicly disclosed that Thabang had died of an AIDS-related illness.

“By doing so we wanted to stop the gossip and the whispering. We wanted people to know so that there could be no speculation about why Thabang had died,” said Thabang’s aunt and family spokesperson, Naomi Lebese.

His family said that Thabang lived in silence and suffered alone, with only a few friends knowing the truth but didn’t know how to help him. He wanted to disclose his status but had left it too late.

“Thabang was too afraid to come out publicly and disclose his HIV status,” said Mabalane Mfundisi, director of Show Me Your Number, the HIV prevention programme of the South African Football Players Union. “I think soccer stars have a harder time disclosing their status than ordinary people precisely because the fall from grace is so much harder. The pressure on a football player to be perfect, to perform, is immense—after so much public scrutiny, it is hard to admit being a mere mortal.”

“We need everyone to know that if you are diagnosed with HIV, you are not alone and there is a lot of support available to you including life-saving HIV treatment,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

Thabang’s story shows that despite an ambitious AIDS programme, HIV-related stigma is still pervasive in South African communities.

UNAIDS, Show Me Your Number, the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and Thabang’s family have teamed up to produce a public service announcement sharing Thabang’s story to highlight issues around HIV stigma, silence and secrecy. The announcement coincided with the start Africa Cup of Nations 2013 which is being hosted in South Africa between 19 January and 10 February.

“It is very important to break the conspiracy of silence that exists around HIV,” said Mr Sidibé. “This is what the Lebese family have done and by doing so, they will save lives,” he added.

“We believe that we can use Thabang’s story to help other people in the same situation”, said Thabang’s mother, Florence Ngoqo. “We hope that people who see the message and will reach out to their loved ones for help and speak out about their status. People need to speak out and communities need to stop living in denial.”

UNAIDS Goodwill ambassador, football player Michael Ballack during his visit to the Health4Men initiative.
Credit: UNAIDS/M.Safodien

In his role as UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, the German football star Michael Ballack conducted a 3-day mission to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he learned about the impact of HIV on communities and used his star-power to raise public awareness of the epidemic.

On 18 January, the first day of his visit, he met with men who have sex with men (MSM), a key population at higher risk of HIV during a visit to the Health4Men initiative at the Yeoville Clinic in Johannesburg. The innovative programme provides free sexual health services to MSM, who often experience stigma and discrimination and struggle with a lack of services catering to their needs. Mr Ballack toured the programme, spoke with health providers and met with MSM.

“I think it is so important that we give attention to HIV because it is everybody’s business,” said Mr Ballack.

“Having somebody like Michael Ballack, who is a big, big celebrity come here to meet people living with HIV, I am very grateful for that and I am very happy,” said one of the Health4men’s clients.

“It is almost impossible to discuss MSM sexual issues openly in South Africa. This is why it is important for these kinds of services to be integrated, into mainstream health care services provided throughout the country,” said Glenn de Swardt, Programme Manager at the Health4Men site.

The Grassroot Soccer project in Soweto was on the itinerary on day two. Along with UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé Mr Ballack spent time with participants of the programme. Grassroot Soccer uses football to deliver key life-skills to young people.

“Michael Ballack has done so much to raise awareness of AIDS and UNAIDS is so lucky to have him give his time, energy and name to the HIV movement,” said Mr Sidibé.

UNAIDS Goodwill ambassador, football player Michael Ballack delivering key life-skills to young people during his visit to the Grassroot Soccer project.
Credit: UNAIDS/M.Safodien

Mr Ballack also attended the opening of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations, which is the continent’s most prestigious football tournament. During the tournament, Mr Ballack met with the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma as well as with other African Head of States, attending the event. UNAIDS launched its HIV awareness campaign, “Protect the Goal” during the opening.

South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world with an estimated 5.6 million people living with HIV. During the past few years the country has made remarkable progress in reversing the course of the AIDS epidemic. Now, the country has the largest HIV treatment programme in the world with 1.9 million people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.

“I have really learnt a lot during this trip and I look forward to continuing to work with UNAIDS on stopping the spread of HIV,” said Mr. Ballack.

The football champion has been a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador since 2006 and he has dedicated time and effort to disseminating HIV prevention messages through the media. 

UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador and football star, Michael Ballack witnessed how football is transforming lives in South Africa. On 19 January, he visited the Grassroot Soccer programme in Soweto, South Africa and watched a Skillz Street practice session involving about 50 boys and girls. Grassroot Soccer uses soccer to educate, inspire and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV.

Mr Ballack was joined by UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé on his tour of the programme.  Mr Ballack is on a 3-day fact-finding mission in South Africa, where he is learning about how HIV impacts lives.

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The campaign aims to harness the power of football to raise awareness of HIV

JOHANNESBURG, 19 January 2013— The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé and the President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou launched the “Protect the Goal” initiative on January 19 at the opening ceremony of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg.

The “Protect the Goal” campaign aims to raise awareness of HIV and mobilize young people to commit to HIV prevention. Globally, an estimated 4.6 million young people (15-24 years of age) are living with HIV. About 2 300 young people are infected with HIV each day. Many young people living with HIV, who are eligible for treatment lack access or do not know their HIV status. The “Protect the Goal” campaign also stresses the need for ensuring all the 15 million people eligible for life-saving antiretroviral treatment can access it by 2015.

“Accelerating large-scale efforts for HIV prevention and treatment is imperative in Africa,” said President Jacob Zuma. “With strong leadership from government and community support, South Africa is showing results and its commitment to ending AIDS.”

Earlier in January, the President of Ghana, John Mahama attended an event to send off the Ghana Black Stars National Football Team to the Africa Cup of Nations. During the event, President Mahama signed a pledge supporting the “Protect the Goal” campaign. The Captain of the Black Stars also signed and read out the pledge. As part of advocacy activities in the lead-up to the tournament, UNAIDS country offices were able to enlist the support of other national football federations to the Protect the Goal campaign. As a result, team captains from Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, and Niger signed the pledge to support the campaign. Other countries are expected to join the initiative during the three week-long Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

During the Africa Cup of Nations, UNAIDS is partnering with the Confederation of African Football, the South African Football Association and the Tobeka Madiba Zuma Foundation to implement the “Protect the Goal” initiative. During the campaign, UNAIDS and its partners will disseminate HIV prevention messages on large electronic screens to football fans in all stadiums where the Africa Cup of Nations football games are taking place. The captains of each of the 16 teams participating in the games will read a statement calling on players, football fans and young people to support the campaign. The “Protect the Goal” campaign will continue until the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

“Football appeals so much to young people and I am thrilled to have such a groundswell of support from the stars of African soccer,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé. “I know this is just the start of an astonishing campaign which will generate much enthusiasm among fans all the way to Brazil 2014.”

“We are extremely happy to support UNAIDS in their efforts to roll out this campaign across the continent,” said President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou. ”Our teams are committed to an Africa where AIDS is no longer a threat.”

The 29^th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations will last until 10 February, the day of the finale. It is the most prestigious football tournament on the continent and happens every two years. The sixteen teams participating in this year’s championship are: Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa (host), Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia.

The campaign aims to utilize the influence and outreach of football to raise awareness about AIDS and mobilize resources towards UNAIDS’ response to the epidemic.

To mark World AIDS Day, the Italian football league ‘Serie A’ will dedicate 2 days to UNAIDS. As part of the Together We Will End AIDS initiative, ten football matches on the 2^nd and 3^rd of December will call attention to and promote action toward the UNAIDS goal of zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.

Accompanying the players, young supporters will carry Together We Will End AIDS banners onto the fields, and the club managers will wear red ribbons symbolising solidarity towards people living with HIV. Renowned players such as Robinho from AC Milan, Cavani from Napoli, and Zanetti from Inter will release interviews and photos in support of the initiative. The campaign aims to utilize the influence and outreach of football to raise awareness about AIDS and mobilize resources towards UNAIDS’ response to the epidemic.

On Saturday 24 November, UNAIDS collaborated with the Italian Rugby Federation during a rugby match between Italy and Australia. The match, which ended with a 19-22 victory for Australia, took place at the Franchi stadium in Florence, and was aimed at mobilizing Italian civil society and the general public to support the work of UNAIDS in achieving its target of Getting to Zero.

Renowned players such as Robinho from AC Milan, Cavani from Napoli, and Zanetti from Inter (in the picture) will release interviews and photos in support of UNAIDS and its work.

Sport can be a powerful force for change, and can play a key role in the response to AIDS, especially when it comes to educating people on HIV prevention and campaigning against stigma and discrimination.

UNAIDS has used football in many occasions to create a greater public awareness of the AIDS epidemic. German football star Michael Ballack and Korean football coach Myong-Bo Hong both support UNAIDS as International Goodwill Ambassadors. In February 2012, Brazilian football legend Pelé and others joined Gabon’s CAN without AIDS campaign. Another Brazilian football star, Ronaldinho, made a commitment last year to use his influence to promote AIDS awareness. A campaign entitled Give AIDS the Red Card was launched at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. It saw the players and teams come together in a commitment to eliminate new HIV infections in children and keep their mothers alive by the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Mr Myung-Bo Hong (second from left) was accompanied on the visit to Thailand by his two sons: 12-year-old Jeongmin (left) and 14-year-old Seongmin, standing next to UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. Credit: UNAIDS

South Korean football star Hong Myung-bo—a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador—described his HIV fact-finding visit to Thailand this week as an “eye-opening experience” and a great learning opportunity.

“I’ve been able to see first-hand the tremendous work that UNAIDS and its partners are doing in Thailand and across Asia,” said Mr Hong, who played for South Korea’s national football team in four consecutive World Cups (1990-2002) and is currently Korea’s Olympic Football Team coach.

“A football match lasts 90 minutes and even if you are leading in the first half, you can still lose the match,” said Mr Hong, adding, “We cannot afford to drop the ball” in terms of HIV awareness.

During his five-day mission, Mr Hong visited community organizations and met with members of key affected populations in the national HIV epidemic, including female sex workers at the Empower Foundation—a national non-governmental organization that protects the rights of female sex workers.

Mr Hong pledged to share impressions and highlights from the visit on his return to South Korea with key stakeholders and to underline the importance of shared responsibility and continued funding for the AIDS response. While connecting with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé in Bangkok, he shared his plan to arrange a charity football match in December to raise money for AIDS-related projects in the region.

“The power of sport is impressive and can be an agent for change, especially for young people,” said Mr Sidibé, who was in Thailand as part of a three-country official mission in South-East Asia. “Mr. Hong is a compelling voice to empower young people to protect themselves from HIV—to address stigma and discrimination against people living with and affected by HIV.”

During his visit to Thailand, Mr Hong took part in a football training session for coaches organized by Thailand’s National Olympic Committee and the Physical Education Institute.

Mr Hong was accompanied on the visit to Thailand by his two sons, 14-year-old Seongmin Hong and Jeongmin, aged 12. While meeting with Mr Sidibé, Seongmin presented the Executive Director with a US$ 3000 donation, which he had raised at an art exhibit for AIDS.

Mr Sidibé applauded the young man’s initiative: “You have made a very powerful gesture. Efforts like yours show that we can be inclusive, tolerant, open and compassionate—that we can all work together to stop HIV.”