Windhoek — It should not be taken for granted that all sports persons are HIV free.

This was the warning sounded to the youth on Friday during a one-day youth national dart workshop on HIV/AIDS and Sports by a local sports psychologist, Audrylin Nauses, in Khomasdal.

Several school dart teams took part in the workshop and the national dart competition.

"Instant wound management treatment in sport injuries reduces the likelihood of AIDS complications for sport persons. However, it is important that all participants, coaches and administrators be appropriately informed about the inherent risk sports presents," Nauses said at the workshop that was held at Dawid Bezuidenhout Secondary School in Khomasdal.

Sports persons with HIV must be encouraged to act responsibly towards fellow competitors.

"Competitive youth boxing in the absence of mandatory HIV testing for instance could pose a significant risk for HIV transmission to boxers that could otherwise be avoided. Under such circumstances, known cases of HIV infected boxers could be encouraged to refrain from further participation and adopt a less robust sport activity with a lower risk of transmission," Nauses said.

She criticized the present lack of adequate control of HIV/AIDS in professional boxing in the country.

"Namibia's boxing commission has a policy of testing boxers only once a year when they apply for new licences. Those testing HIV positive are denied new licences and banned from further competition.

Furthermore, the standard procedure of operating for most boxing commissions in the world is simply to revoke or deny boxing licences to HIV infected boxers," she revealed.

Nauses recommended that all Namibian sports federations clearly communicate risks through sports awareness programmes and educational workshops.

"The use of protective equipment in sports such as mouth and gum guards, shin guards, shoulder pads, proper footwear and helmets need to be made mandatory as a precautionary measure and actively enforced by sports coaches, administrators and officials during competitions," she advised.

In her view, compulsory HIV testing of sports persons is neither recommended nor prudent.

"Such testing has legal implications that could ultimately affect the livelihood of sports persons, sports clubs and federations. Voluntarily testing should rather be encouraged among those engaging in sport and recreation with voluntary consent by individuals. Under no circumstances should cooperation be compelled or mandated," she concluded.

The Zone V1 Darts Federation under the leadership of its president, R.O'Malley, organized the workshop at which South African darts guru, Kassie Pretorius, also officiated.