Harare — Zimbabwe is set to receive US$1,9 million from Unicef-Norway over the next three years aimed at scaling up HIV and Aids prevention programmes for youths through sport.

The initial disbursement, which is expected in January next year, would be channelled into Zimbabwe through the United Nations Children's Fund Harare office to the Sports and Recreation Commission and is aimed at increasing sports development activities at community level. Unicef spokesperson in Zimbabwe Mr James Elder said the fund would enable the provision of training for at least 900 district committee members and volunteers in 18 districts. Mr Elder said the project was also expected to cover capacity building for 400 women and girls, training and support for 1 350 young peer educators while an additional 170 000 young people will be educated on HIV and Aids through peer education linked to sport activities.

"Equipment will be available to support these activities, and at least 54 000 parents and guardians will be sensitised to support the programme. "Zimbabwe had excellent news last week after statistics revealed a continuing fall in the HIV prevalence rate, but this decline should merely reinforce the importance of these programmes and the need to reach more and more youths," said Mr Elder.

Mr Elder added that sports-related organisations were uniquely poised to spread knowledge about HIV and Aids prevention among young people and to provide them with an opportunity to discuss the pandemic openly. Through participation in sports, young people infected or affected by HIV and Aids, including orphans and vulnerable children, get a safe and supportive environment where they can feel a sense of belonging.

"Sport can also be a powerful tool in promoting equality for all, motivating all children and young people to participate, teaching girls self-sufficiency, personal autonomy and leadership skills, and challenging the stereotype that they are weaker than boys," he said.