Top ICC Umpire and Match Referee to participate in HIV Sensitization

Simon Taufel, leading ICC Umpire and Ranjan Madugalle, ICC's most experienced Match Referee, Thursday, March 5th, from 2:10: p.m., North Georgetown Secondary School, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has teamed up with UNAIDS, UNICEF and the Caribbean Broadcasting Media Partnership on HIV and AIDS (CBMP) at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, to highlight the issues facing children and young people affected by HIV and call for the resources and actions required to address them. It is hoped that through this Partnership, the public - especially young people aged 15 to 24 - will become more aware of the increasing incidence of HIV within their age group and become better informed about ways to protect themselves from infection.

Through a series of high-profile activities around cricket's biggest event, the Partnership is supporting the Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign, launched in 2005 by UNICEF, UNAIDS and other partners. Various messages about HIV and AIDS will be made prominent, including HIV prevention and overcoming stigma and discrimination. Cricketers and officials from all participating teams for CWC 2007 are visiting sites to join initiatives to support children and young people infected or affected by HIV and AIDS.

The Workshop on HIV aims to sensitize children, teachers and local umpires on key issues of prevention and healthy lifestyles while using sports for development. Among the participants will be the Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, representatives from the local umpires association and students and teachers from four primary schools in Region 4.

During the afternoon, leading ICC Umpire Simon Taufel and Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle will have brief discussions with the group before sharing valuable tips and playing friendly matches with Guyana's next generation of cricketers.

Members of the media are invited to cover the event.

DATE: Thursday 5th March 2007.

SCHEDULE:

2.10 - Depart Buddy's Hotel.

2.30 - Arrive North Georgetown Secondary School

(2.15-2.30 A seminar by Charlene Johnson of Min of Education already underway. Audience consists of young cricketers, teachers and Guyanese umpires. Guyanese Minister of Health, Dr L. Ramsammy, and UNICEF Programme Officer Dennis Arends, also in attendance.)

2.30-35 - Pause for arrival of celebrity guests. Brief comments of welcome by Headmaster, Mr Matthews.

2.35-45 - Seminar continues: emphasis on core message re HIV in Sport - no stigma or discrimination, etc.

2.45-50 - Brief remarks by Dennis Arends, UNICEF Programme Officer, introducing Simon Taufel & Ranjan Madugalle to audience, linking children / sports / HIV (core messages)

2.50-2.55 - Brief remarks by Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

2.55-3.00 - A celebrity guest makes brief remarks about importance of sports, discipline, personal commitment to confronting HIV, stigma etc.....

3.00-10 - Q&A: from children and media to Minister of Health, UNICEF official, Headmaster, Ministry of Education rep, and ICC guest officials.

3.10-35 - Outside - fun cricket match with children, umpires etc. Celebrity guests giving training tips etc. Media milling around.

3.35 - Visitors leave

3.55 - Visitors back at hotel