“Utilizing the World Cup Football Fever to Provide education on STI/HIV/AIDS & safer sexual behaviour in Chennai / 8th July 2010 / ICWO

[Guest guest]

9th July 2010

Dear Moderator AIDS INDIA,

Greetings from Indian Community Welfare Organisation!

We Indian Community Welfare Organisation with the support of Action Aid India

and Rotary Club of Chennai, Gemini have organized an HIV/AIDS educational event

titled “Utilizing the World Cup Football Fever to Provide education on

STI/HIV/AIDS & safer sexual behaviour " in Chennai on 8th July 2010

Today an article in Times of India, Chennai News paper has published about the

event. Please find below the article along with the photograph.

I take this opportunity to sincerely thank and appreciate you for the tremendous

work you are doing and wish you to continue the same

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

A.J.HARIHARAN

Founder Secretary

Indian Community Welfare Organisation - I.C.W.O.

AP-216, 18th Main Road, 'I' Block, 6th Street,

Vallalar Colony, Nagar West, Chennai-600 040.

Phone: 044-26184392, 65515742

Fax: 044-45536392

Mobile: 98401-88821

Email: fieldmaster@...,

fieldmaster2000@...

Website:www.icwoindia.org

_______________________________

TACKLING AIDS

BEST PRACTICES: A football juggler at a show organised by the Indian Community

Welfare Organisation in partnership with NGO Actionaid and the Rotary Club to

educate the citys residents on sexually transmitted infections,HIV/AIDS and safe

sexual behaviour

The Times of India, Chennai

It's fun but play it safe is the message they spread

TNN, Jul 8, 2010, 11.30pm IST

CHENNAI: Football juggler V Amulraj balances the ball on his forehead for more

than a couple of minutes, then heads it, catching it with his right foot and

juggles it for a while; then flips it to his shin and lobs it back to his

forehead. The dance continues as the member of the Christian Sports Fellowship

keeps the ball in the air by balancing and tipping it with various parts of his

body. The other team members clap and play music to cheer him on as they wait

their chance at the ball.

The show is organised by Indian Community Welfare Organisation, (ICWO), in

partnership with other NGOs Actionaid and the Rotary Club of Chennai, Gemini, to

use the football fever in the run up to the World Cup final to educate the

city's residents on sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS and safe sexual

behaviour.

" The whole world is talking about football, and many charity programmes are

being held simultaneously in South Africa to create awareness and collect funds

for various causes. We heard about this event and thought to use our talent to

highlight the issue, " said Arun Balaksrishnan, who plays for the Central Excise

and Customs, Kochi.

A huge banner showcasing a Jabulani surrounded by condoms with the catchline

Football is fun. Celebrate and play it safe' was unveiled at Prince Plaza in

Egmore on the occasion. The banner will be removed on July 12, a day after the

World Cup finals.

Speaking about the initiative to link sports with social causes, ICWO secretary

AJ Hariharan said, " The mall averages 1,000 footfalls a day, and we are hopeful

of catching the attention of another 10,000 people who use Pantheon Road and

Egmore Bridge.

Through this we hope to create awareness about the stigma associated with and

discrimination of people with HIV/AIDS and get people talking about safe sexual

practices. We wanted these young players to participate because peer pressure

plays a big part in youngsters indulging in negative behaviour, and we wanted to

convince the youth that it can also be the other way round. "

Meanwhile the cheering rises to a pitch as Amulraj finally ends the intimate

dance with the ball with a kiss by balancing it on his lips.

Click here to view the article

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Chennai/Its-fun-but-play-it-safe-is-the-\

message-they-spread/articleshow/6144752.cms