Promoting HIV/AIDS awareness is aim of soccer tournament with local African and Caribbean immigrant communities

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Starting on September 17, members of the local African and Caribbean immigrant community will compete on the soccer field on behalf of their native countries. While only one team will claim the championship title of the second annual Kick HIV/AIDS Away Soccer Tournament, all will be advancing the important goal of helping to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in their communities.

A 2003 report by Public Health - Seattle & King County concluded that HIV prevalence among the estimated 14,500 African immigrants who reside in King County could be as high as 15 percent, with a substantial percentage of those people being unaware that they are infected.

"We have a growing African community in King County, and many may be at risk for HIV because of exposures in their native countries or here," said Dr. Bob Wood, HIV/AIDS Program Director for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Through this tournament, we hope to encourage all members of local African and Caribbean communities to be informed about HIV and AIDS, to test for this virus, and to access treatment available in our region if they test positive."

Tournament attendees and participants will have the opportunity to learn more about HIV prevention and treatment and the importance of getting tested for HIV. At each match, on-site free rapid HIV testing and counseling will be provided by the People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) mobile testing van. Educational materials will also be distributed at each match, including resource listings for HIV testing and treatment.

Sixteen teams will compete for the championship of the Kick HIV/AIDS Away Soccer Tournament. All events will be free to the general public. The tournament will be held at the Starfire soccer fields at Fort Dent in Tukwila at Interurban Avenue South and Fort Dent Way. Running over two weekends, dates and times for the matches are as follows:

• Saturday, September 17 from noon to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, September 18 from 2 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, September 24 from noon to 6 p.m.

After the championship match on September 24, an award ceremony and party for participants and community members will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., including complimentary African food, live music and award presentations.

The tournament is funded by Public Health - Seattle & King County's HIV/AIDS Program and is organized and promoted in collaboration with Covenant Missions International and the People of Color Against Aids Network (POCAAN).

• More information on the threat that HIV/AIDS presents to the local African Immigrant Community (PDF)
• POCAAN Web site

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