Using the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS

For the 5^th time in a raw, the annual Kick N Test VCT and TB screening football tournament was held on 17^th August at Jericho community fields. What made this tournament special? The teams did not get points only for winning or drawing a match, but also participating in the Skillz Kenya HIV/AIDS activities, stop TB activity visiting VCT and TB screening tents over the course of the day.Additionally, on the field was a huge scoreboard referred as the (tallying centre) where teams points both from the field, VCT and TB were recorded. In the event of a normal football match tie, these extra points were more important than a point in the match.

 A total of over 250 youth players were tested on HIV/AIDS status and screened on TB. Every Youth/player that was tested earned an extra bonus point to his/her team. One player from each age group was chosen as football champion, based on his/her performance in the tournament, and one as spirit champion, based on his/her enthusiasm in the Skillz Kenya HIV/AIDS and stop TB activities. The event provided an opportunity for the community members of Jericho to know their status by visiting VCT and TB screening services that were provided by EDARP.

Jericho is a well known football power house area having produced the finest football players who have featured in various top clubs nationally and internationally.Subsiquently,it's also on record with the highest numbers of a myriad of social and economical challenges.

 FIELD CLASSROOM

 Contrary to the usual football match talk by team’s coaches during half time and at the end of the match, participants were sensitized on co-relation between TB and HIV.Skillz coaches for both TB and HIV were at hand to conduct the activities and educate the participants. Participants were also given basic questionnaires regarding HIV and TB to gauge their knowledge and attitude.