How Soccer (Tournaments) Explain HIV Counseling and Testing

Get tested for HIV and earn your soccer team points in the tournament. Simple concept, amazing results.

 

GRS Alexandra’s 2^nd HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) Soccer Tournament, Sat Nov 17^th, Altrek Sports Facility, Alexandra

It was a day of craziness: 300 soccer players, 24 teams, testing and media partners—the real deal for the first soccer tournament I've ever organized. In the twelve hours that the tournament took place last Saturday I got to sit down once-- to get tested for HIV—a break in the day which was anything but relaxing. But it was also a day of fun, laughter, excitement and inspiration that proved to shine above all the logistics, mishaps, sunburns and running around— things in the end that made that sunny Saturday in Alex a day I won’t soon forget!

As event coordinator, the weeks leading up to the tournament were filled with match fixtures and communicating with partners, staff orientations and material gathering. Then last Saturday came, where everything I had been preparing finally got to show itself. If anything (or anyone) had a problem, I was the one to solve it.

Talking things over with Skillz Coach Mlungisi, in line for HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT)

And so the day came. The goals didn’t arrive on time, neither did the referees, or the teams for that matter. Our testing partners were unaware of our targets for the day and the venue we held the tournament at had been double-booked by its coordinator, forcing us to work out a deal with the development workshop that arrived at the same time we did.

                

All these hurdles, in the end, were shaded in how successful the tournament had been by the end of the day. 300 soccer players and 24 teams, men and women, from all over Alexandra participated in our tournament for the day, all ready and willing to participate in GRS activities, learn about Medical Male Circumcision (MMC), and get tested for HIV in addition to playing soccer—really cool stuff.

                

Soweto Intern (and roomie) Matt discussing tournament strategies with Skillz Coach Fanyana

The event was spread out through the fields at Altrek Sports facilities in East Bank Alexandra, right across the river from the traffic-filled streets of downtown Alexandra. Each team, guided by a Grassroot Soccer Coach, were provided with a schedule for the day filled with match fixtures, Grassroot Soccer Activities, info sessions for MMC, and HIV testing. Teams would not only be awarded points for wins during their matches but also for participating in our health awareness activities:

Match Win = 3 Points ; Match Draw = 1

Team participates fully in a GRS activity (Find the ball, HIV Attacks, Breakaway from HIV) = 3 points

Player Referred for Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) = 1 Point

             

Player Tested for HIV = 1 Point

What was really incredible were the players and coach’s excitement for participating in all the events we had on the day, not just for the points but because they were interested in gaining information that could help the community of Alex in the fight against HIV and to be a healthier community as a whole. Ayanda, a 14 year old player for Moroka Lions FC, is a perfect example of this and found himself in GRS’s newsletter for the December Edition:

Ayanda sprained his ankle in his team’s first match of the day. Instead of sulking in the corner, Ayanda spent the entire day on Skillz Coach Fox’s back, being piggybacked from GRS Activities and MMC info sessions to his team’s matches. At the end of the day, Ayanda was found (still on Coach Fox's back) heading towards the HCT tents; through all the pain, Ayanda had decided to test for HIV. Upon asking him why he decided to test despite his injury, Ayanda replied emphatically with a big smile, “I wanted to know my status”!

Skillz Coach Fox carrying and injured Ayanda to the tents for HCT

The day closed out in the best way possible. The women’s final was a hard-fought battle and the men’s final ended in a penalty shoot-out (see video below). Matt, my roommate and intern from Soweto, happened to be the GRS liaison for the champion team, Superstars...

 ...Coincidence?