ICC President reinforces international cricket's commitment to HIV/AIDS in Namibia

ICC President Ehsan Mani today reinforced the ICC's commitment to supporting the global fight against HIV and AIDS after attending a cricket clinic for young children orphaned by the epidemic in Namibia.

"AIDS is a global pandemic that we all have a responsibility to address," said Mr Mani after attending a fundraising function attended by senior government officials in Namibia.

"From raising awareness of its causes and reducing the stigma that is still attached to the illness in many parts of the world, to raising money on nights like tonight, there are many ways that we can help.

"The International Cricket Council may be a sporting body, but we believe we have a social responsibility to address this issue.

"In a world where it is estimated that over 40 million people are infected with HIV, over 12 million are in the ICC's 10 Full Member countries. Nine million of those are in India and South Africa alone.

"Since the launch of our partnership with UNAIDS, many of cricket's highest profile teams have worn the red ribbons that show solidarity with HIV and AIDS sufferers around the world. In 2004, on World AIDS Day, the captains of all of our top ten nations signed a pledge to fight HIV and AIDS.

"The support of these icons, stellar cricket names such as Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith, Michael Vaughan and Sourav Ganguly, has a powerful impact. Their actions and activities have inspired many more to reach out to people living with HIV and AIDS.

"In addition, the ICC has taken time to visit HIV and AIDS projects in Bangladesh, England, India, Pakistan, Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa and Sri Lanka, cutting across cultural, political and religious divides.

"Cricketers are heroes to millions and their actions, both on and off the field, are capable of inspiring millions of others.

"When a young man living with the virus was invited to toss the coin during last year's historic Test series between India and Pakistan, the captains of both sides accompanied him out to the middle of the pitch. It may seem like the smallest of gestures but in a society where the stigma attached to the illness is huge it was a massive step forward in the understanding and acceptance of HIV and AIDS.

"We must not be afraid of those who are living with HIV and AIDS; we must not turn our back on them."

Mr Mani was speaking in the Namibia capital Windhoek after attending a cricket clinic conducted by former South Africa cricketer Gary Kirsten. The clinic and fundraising dinner were organised by the Namibia Cricket Board and the Christina Swart-Opperman AIDS Orphan Foundation Trust.

It is estimated that in Sub-Saharan Africa 25.4 million people, many of them children, are living with HIV and AIDS. The ICC became the first international sporting body to join forces with UNAIDS in October 2003.