Kumar Sangakkara In an effort to raise the profile of HIV/AIDS amongst young people and to address stigma against people living with AIDS the Cricket World Cup organisers, officials and players have united to promote HIV awareness. Umpires are wearing the Think Wise logo on their shirts throughout the World Cup and a video message recorded by ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador and Sri Lanka batting legend Kumar Sangakkara is playing on stadium screens at all the matches featuring the campaign. Players and officials in the final match will wear red ribbons to show their commitment to HIV prevention and solidarity with people living with and affected by HIV. The South Africa national cricket team have taken to the pitch with a team of young people in Eden Park, Auckland to encourage young fans to learn more about HIV. The appearance was organized by the ICC, UNAIDS and UNICEF under the Think Wise banner, together with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, Positive Women and Body Positive. Players and officials at the Cup final will wear red ribbons, the international symbol of HIV awareness. HIV among adolescents of all genders and sexualities is rife in nations such as South Africa and India but is less common in New Zealand where prevalence is remarkably low and generally confined to gay and bisexual youths and adults. There is no specific acknowledgement in the Think Wise campaign of young men who have sex with men.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 5th March 2015 - 11:22pm