Safe Games Campaign Team of STOP HIV conducted its two day outreach at the National Hockey Centre on the 19- 20 August 2011. Mr. Luke Nayasa of FJN+ and Mr. Laisiasa Puamau (STOP HIV Champion for Basketball) presented their keynote address on the second day prior to the semi- finals.

Lai Puamau in his keynote address emphasized on the role of sportsmanship and playing safe on and off the field. He said, “ Everyone is a champion when you are selected to represent our school, district or country. It ‘s what you do off field that really matters and as sportsperson, we should look after ourselves well and maintain good health and fitness at all times”.

According to Valerie Finau (Secretary of Fiji Hockey), awareness conducted by STOP HIV Team at such events was effective since a lot of young players get an opportunity to secure right information concerning HIV & STIs and other related issue. She further added that having someone like Luke Nayasa to share his testimony was really effective as many still believes that someone living with the virus often looks weary weak and sickly.

This year, the Safe Games Campaign for Secondary School  worked around the theme- “ HIV Stops with Me” targeting  young people aged 15- 19yrs. Closed to 300 student players from 25 secondary school the two day campaign as the STOP HIV Team facilitated team talk sessions with Under 15, 17 and 19 Teams of both Boys and Girls Division. Each players were issued with a red ribbon pins, basic HIV & STI facts and the flyers on Abstinence and Be Faithful.

The STOP HIV Team will continue to work closely with Fiji Secondary Schools Sports Organizers to planned for more campaign in the coming year.