FORMER national athletics rep Gabrieli Qoro yesterday organised a Sports Training Outreach Program-me to help stop HIV Aids in the country.

The former long and triple jump specialist, who has a level One Peer Leaders Certificate, believes sports is one of the best ways to help promote STOP HIV in the region.

A total of 20 participants turned up for the three-day workshop which ends tomorrow. Sports personalities like national netball rep Filo Korovulavula, former 100m champ John Lum Kon and former SPG weightlifting gold medalist Della Shaw were part of the workshop.

Qoro said the participants, who are from different sporting backgrounds, are the best candidates to promote HIV awareness.

He said the main objective of the workshop is to reduce the hasty increase of aids within the region starting within Fiji.

"I believe that apart from the church, sports is another vehicle which we could board to promote the stop of HIV within the country. Fiji is one of the countries that has a rapid increase in aids," Qoro said."

He thanked the participants for volunteering to help stop the rapid increase of aids in the country.

Coaches from different sporting bodies like basketball, volleyball, rugby, athletics, netball, weightlifting, hockey and cricket were present yesterday.

Qoro said the workshop was also the first they're organised apart from the usual HIV awareness programs.

He said the coaches would be accessed according to how they promote awareness to their players.

"These coaches will receive a Peer Leader certificates after we're satisfied with the three training sessions they conduct to help promote STOP HIV."

The workshop continues today.

The Fiji Times Online

By Emoni Narawa

Tuesday 10th November, 2009