Banja La Mtsogolo with funding from National Aids Commission sponsored a three-month long HCT Youth Sports Tournament in Zomba. The tournament was in Netball and soccer game categories with 16 teams drawn from secondary schools around Zomba District.

The youth in secondary schools were specially targeted in this HCT sports tournament because they fall within the vulnerable youth age group of 10 to 24 years. The youth in Malawi are particularly vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS infection with 46% of new infections occurring in young people of 15 to 24 years of age and teenage girls being five to six times more likely to be HIV infected than boys of similar age according to the 2003 National AIDS Commission Report. The youth in this age group indeed become prone to HIV infection, early and unplanned pregnancies, and other sexually transmitted infections when they do not receive the information and services to make informed decisions about their sexual health. The sporting activities were used as a platform for disseminating various messages on HIV/AIDS, STIs and behaviour change.
The Marketing and Corporate Relations Team organised a colourful prize presentation ceremony on 6th July 2006 for the teams that reached the finals in collaboration with the Malawi Schools Sports Association (MASSA). The sports tournament which started in March 2006 was held at Zomba Community Centre Ground.

Amongst other objectives BLM had for sponsoring the youth sporting activity were to sensitise the youth community around zomba on the HCT activities taking place at Zomba BLM clinic with a special emphasis on the youth-friendly HCT services and also to create awareness on the dangers of STIs and HIV/AIDS and the importance of seeking medical attention. The Community Outreach Manager Clement Naunje was quoted saying, “It is one of BLMs main interests to encourage the youth to participate in HIV/AIDS issues including HCT and to promote behaviour change amongst the youth as the only way to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS”

The tournament also gave an opportunity to BLM to  sensitise spectators present at the final game of the services available at Zomba BLM clinic including HCT. Leaflets on Family Planning, STIs, and HIV/AIDS were distributed to the youth who came to watch the games alongside other spectators. A public address system was used to give messages on HIV/AIDS, STIs, and behaviour change. Youth who had questions on their sexual health were duly assisted and given relevant advice and information.

As one way of combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancies and, contraction of STIs amongst the youth who cannot abstain from sexual activities, condoms were distributed.

The sports tournament’s final game winners were St. Mary’s 2000 in the soccer category and Cobbe Barracks CDSS in the netball category. The teams received prize money amounting to K12,500 and K6,500 respectively.
“Messages on family planning methods, STIs and HCT will definitely help the youth make informed decisions about their sexual reproductive health” concluded the Community Outreach Manager.

Reported by Felistas Sibweza
(Advocacy and Corporate Relations Officer)