26 March 2012, New Delhi: The Touch of Hope Foundation and New Delhi United Football Club collaborative initiative Football 4Hope presents UNITED CUP 2012 (Cup of Hope) an inter Embassies and High Commissions Football tournament will begin on 30th March 2012 at the Thyagaraj Sports Stadium, INA Colony, New Delhi . The tournament targets to make mass HIVAIDS awareness and spread the message that AIDS continues to be an emergency, and need team work to STOP HIV, a release by Football 4Hope said.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of the first reported cases of HIVAIDS in the world. Globally, and specifically in India, although progress has been made in curbing the devastating spread and treatment program has been immensely successful. In India over 4.8 lakh PLHAs are on ART. However, still the efforts are not enough to beat the epidemic, the latest nationwide data illustrates the need for greater involvement and increase effort across the spectrum of all walks of society. The fight must go on. HIV is still an emergency , which needed constant, sustained, persistent campaign to reduce and reverse the epidemic, the release added.
"We need team work to beat HIV. HIV does not discriminate, neither should we. Everyone, regardless of color, race, gender, age, sexual orientation or religion, we all share the same risk, the same rights, the same responsibility. We must prevent new infection, spread awareness, support and protect rights, extend care and support to those living with HIV and AIDS. I am glad this initiative will generate increase support which will go a long way in the fight against HIV,” - Dr.Chinkholal Thangsing, Founder and CEO of The Touch of Hope Foundation.
The epidemic is here to stay and the fight must continue relentlessly. Those negative must remain negative and those positive must live a positive life adhering to medications and change lifestyle. We must fight to eradicate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV. As a team works in football to score a goal and win the game, we need a concerted effort working as a team to score goals to bring down infection rates, increase compassion to those living with HIV and surging ahead in our endevour to contain the epidemic of HIV.
“I will be there with shorts – and be with the Hope team. Head it, chest it, dribble and control HIV, then AIDS will not score that's the goal this HOPE tourney is all about” said Loon Gangte, Captain of Team HOPE.
“ I have played football most of my life. It is a game, which need strong determination, lots of energy and teamwork to score a goal to win the game. I am enthused that we have join hands with The Touch of Hope Foundation who spearheaded the fight against HIV. I am totally sure that if we put our efforts as we do in the game into the battle against HIVAIDS we shall surely score goals to win over the epidemic of HIV.” Haroon James, President, New Delhi United Football Club and Co-Founder Football4Hope.
Teams from the Embassies and High commissions of the following countries – Botswana, China, Denmark, Egypt, France , India, Isreal, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Spain,Tanzania, Indonesia and United Nation Team, Team Hope will share the stadium to play the game with determination, hardwork, team work and experience the energy, joy and the upliftment of the spirit, stronger friendship and score agaist HIV. Come join us! Lets cheer, lets show we care, show are are together in the fight against HIV, lets us enjoy, encourage the teams for that is the pathway to conquer, the release furthered.
Title Sponsor of the meet are SAB Miller India and Hospitality Partner Suryaa Hotel in association with Medical Partner Pushpanjali Hospital, ICONGO – International Confederation of NGOs, Arabicacadabra Coffee Co., Actevis Consulting Group (ACG) HIVATLAS, North East Odessey, Flavours of Italy, Light House, Alliance Business Corp., Agency for Community Care and Development, Sharan – Society for Service to Urban Poverty, Positive Peoples Alliance, AIDS Care Physicians Alliance (ACPA)
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