NUGA: Athletes get HIV/AIDS test, condoms
February 17, 2014 by Sodiq Oyeleke
Vice-Chancellor, OAU, Prof. Idowu Omole
| credits: File copy
| credits: File copy
No
fewer than 2500 athletes participating in the ongoing Nigerian
University Games have been tested for HIV/AIDS. The competition is
holding at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The test, which was jointly organised by
about 10 groups, including UNICEF, was coordinated by National Action
Committee Against AIDS through the weekend. The athletes were also given
condoms to protect themselves during sex.
Coordinator of the programme, Moses
Okpara, said that the test was to ensure that athletes were aware of the
dangers of the disease.
He said, “It is part of the intervention
aimed at reaching Nigerians with HIV/AIDS. We also counsel them at the
spot of test. It is designed to reach at least 5000 athletes in the
course of the NUGA Games here in OAU. This is an event that brings a lot
of young people together across the country. In the last sporting
event of this nature that was held in Lagos, we were able to reach over
9000 young people.
“The programme is key because young
people are the most affected in this era of HIV/AIDS. There is a lot of
uptake and awareness and they are working. Knowing their status is the
best thing that can happen to them. When the athletes know their status,
they will protect themselves.”
The athletes commended the organisers of the test, saying the counselling made them to realise the importance of being negative.
One of them from the University of Benin
who pleaded anonymity said, “The programme is helpful and it has made me
more aware about the disease. I have been tested and advised on how to
manage my health to avoid contracting the disease.”
http://www.punchng.com/sports/nuga-athletes-get-hivaids-test-condoms/
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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