Soccer players in Fiji will be used to promote the danger of HIV/AIDS following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Fiji Football Association and FASANOC Stop HIV/AIDS in Suva yesterday.

In doing so the two parties will work together in promoting the effect of the disease through the various soccer tournaments to be held around the country.

FFA CEO Bob Kumar said yesterday that being one of the major sports in the country, preventing HIV/AIDS would be part of their social responsibilities.

He said given this, the players would be more involved with the youths by educating them on the dangers of the disease.

He said the signing of the documents would provide the opportunity for the players to educate their peers knowing that they were vulnerable to sexual activities.

FASANOC Stop HIV/AIDS ambassador Mereoni Lewesi said there was a need to change the approach of youths on how to tackle the disease and having sportsmen leading the role was indeed helpful.

Lewesi visited the soccer players' camp during the IDC and BOG tournaments last year and found out that more education on the disease was needed.

She said the players' knowledge of AIDS was rather shallow and they would love to know more.

Stop HIV program manageress Margaret Eastgate said although the prevalence of the disease in the Pacific was extremely low, it did not really specify the correct figures unless more tests were done throughout.

She said sportsmen and sportswomen, being role models for youths, would need to work hand in hand to fight HIV/AIDS

Source: The Fiji Times Online, 12 January 2011