The tournament, which consisted of 12 official games throughout the region, wrapped up a couple weeks ago and it's fair to say it was a huge success, with 120 players and coaches educated and trained on HIV (with a focus on prevention through condom use and limiting their number of partners), by local health workers with support from Peace Corps Volunteers, ~7,000 spectators reached with messages about HIV transmission, protection, testing, and macro causes of the epidemic. Radio stations aired three programs with local football players and hospital staff talking about HIV/AIDS. In preparation for the tournament, the project moved two tons of rocks, hung 24 nets, and lined 13 fields. Over the course of the tournament, the project also played over 48 hours of music, and moved people collectively over a thousand kilometers. A massive undertaking, but a highly successful one, and one we all hope will be replicated in other regions and countries in the years to come. Here are some pictures from the final game in Farafenni the weekend before last:
Most of the people who made the tournament happen
Nope, your eyes aren't deceiving you...those are girls playing! Two girls teams got to play an exhibition game before the big final.
Almost ready to start
These guys have worked their butts off for over a year to make this happen. So proud of them!
Lining up
Kickoff!
I don't know much about football, but these guys can PLAY!
Erica up in the stands cheering on her team
Fans doing what they do best...rushing the field
Upper Niumi celebrating their win
Champions of North Bank Region!
1 comment:
Fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing this with us. As a parent of a PCV, I'm extremely proud of the work you're doing.
Always,
W. in IL
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