Sport for development

ICC - International Cricket Council

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has teamed up with UNICEF and UNAIDS to highlight the situation of children and young people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Launched at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean, the partnership is part of the ICC’s commitment to promote the Spirit of Cricket and its positive impact on society. Also supporting the partnership during the Cricket World Cup was the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (CBMP), a coalition of over 50 broadcasters in 23 Caribbean countries and territories. The CBMP’s new regional media campaign, LIVE UP, aims to inspire the people of the Caribbean, especially youth, to consider what they can do to stem the spread of HIV. 

Through high profile activities around cricket’s biggest events, the ICC is supporting the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign launched in 2005 by UNICEF, UNAIDS and other partners. During the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in September 2007, cricket players took time between matches to meet and inspire children at UNICEF-supported programmes throughout South Africa and to speak out publicly about HIV and AIDS prevention and the need to end stigma and discrimination.

Cricket is popular in many of the countries that are most impacted by AIDS, including India and South Africa. Together, these two countries are home to around 11 million of the 40 million people estimated to be living with HIV.

Cricket is also a major sport in many donor countries that are active in the global AIDS response, including Australia, Canada, England, the Netherlands and New Zealand – all competitors in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.