Cook and Panesar join AIDS fight

Monty Panesar passed on some coaching tips to children affected by AIDS

England and West Indies players took time out of their training ahead of the second Test in Antigua to meet with local youngsters as part of the ICC’s global HIV/AIDS awareness partnership with UNICEF, UNAIDS and the Global Media AIDS Initiative.

The children received coaching tips from Alastair Cook, Monty Panesar, Chris Gayle and Denesh Ramdin, collected autographs and were photographed with the ICC’s Catch the Spirit flag, which is travelling the globe during the ICC’s centenary year in 2009.

The meetings were organised by the 3H Network, which works to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, and to address the plight of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Antigua and Barbuda.

England vice-captain Cook enjoyed meeting the young members of the 3H Network and he hoped the children felt the same.

“I hope that the youngsters who came to join us at practice today really enjoyed themselves,” he said.

“It was great to speak with them to learn about their stories and chat about cricket. I hope that we can continue to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS so that more youngsters can live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy the game which I’m so passionate about.”

West Indies wicketkeeper Ramdin added: “The ICC’s work around HIV/AIDS awareness is something which a number of cricketers have been involved in and I’m happy to be a part of this in Antigua today.

“It’s important that we play our role where we can to help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to reduce the stigma associated with it.”

The visit was supported by UNAIDS in close collaboration with the ICC and the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership as part of a global cricket campaign on HIV/AIDS which is also assisted by UNICEF.

It builds on a series of activities which were delivered during the ICC World Cup 2007, held in West Indies, aimed at raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and reducing stigma around the disease.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “Cricket is a hugely popular sport in many developing countries affected by HIV/AIDS and where children are especially vulnerable.

“We want our high profile cricketers who are great role models to deliver important messages on HIV/AIDS awareness and to encourage young people to live a healthy lifestyle.

“Our great sport and the ICC’s centenary celebrations provide us with an excellent opportunity to deliver these messages across our 104 member countries.”