Using the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS

With the holidays catching up with us and the fact that all schools have closed for December holidays, VAP has organized a 20 team football and condoms league. The league which is played on 3 different playing fields is targeting 30 teams of youth aged 16 years and over. During this period of football league which is expected to end by 1^st of December which is the climax and it being World Aids day. Players and their coaches are engaged in distributing condoms to their fellow youth and the community at large as well as training them on proper use of condoms. Despite the normal points gained on a regular football game, the team and the coaches who distribute more condoms, gain an extra point of the field. The finals of the league will be played on AIDS day where players and community members will get an opportunity to know their HIV status by being tested. According to the National Aids Control Council’s Kenya Aids Response Progress Report 2016, young people (15-24) significantly contribute to high HIV burden in the country. They constitute the largest proportion of people living with HIV. Notably, they have contributed 51% of adult HIV new infections showing rapid rise from 29% in 2013.A number of factors have advanced this alarming rate of infection such as incorrect perception of their risks on HIV, limited knowledge on sexual behavior that expose them to HIV such as failure to resist forced sex from partner, having sexual intercourse under influence of alcohol or drugs among others. “Am glad to participate in the football and condoms league because I have received information on how to use condom correctly and also gain information on HIV” Said  17 year old,Rakili from Zaragoza FC.