Speed and Sehwag support HIV and AIDS Awareness
ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed yesterday joined Indian star Virender Sehwag and Cecilio Adorna, UNICEF India country representative, in visiting the ART Centre in Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital in New Delhi
30-Aug-2007
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The visit was part of the ICC's partnership with UNAIDS and UNICEF to raise awareness and reduce stigma around HIV and AIDS.
As well as playing an impromptu game of cricket with a group of young children, the delegation also had the opportunity to meet two HIV positive mothers.
Malcolm Speed said: "Cricket is not all about playing the game and making money. Having a social awareness programme associated with it is not only an excellent way to reach out to the cricket fans but also an uplifting experience for the cricketers as well and puts everything into perspective."
Virender Sehwag added "It is important for every one of us to spend time with HIV children. It is a pleasure to be associated with the cause. When celebrities endorse a noble cause like this, it has more impact."
It is estimated that 70,000 children below the age of 15 are infected with HIV in India and 21,000 children are infected every year through mother to child transmission. A small proportion is infected by unsafe injections and infected blood transfusions.
Further HIV and AIDS awareness activities are planned at the ICC World Twenty20 2007 which begins in South Africa next month.