UNFPA and YARN at the Gate Way Games,2006

The 15th National Sport Festival “Gateway Games” 2006 took place at several venues and sporting centers within Ogun state, Aside the capital city, some key events were held in the selected venues in major towns and cities within the state that include Federal polytechnic, Ilaro, and Gateway International stadium (Ijebu-ode).

UNFPA as part of its mandate towards reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS particularly amongst young people through its Ogun state office supported YARN’s Play it Safe proposal in carrying out HIV/AIDS intervention activities geared towards promoting HIV prevention messages, access to Voluntary counseling and testing and also massive awareness campaign on the ABC of prevention. The activity utilized by YARN includes rallies, awareness/ mobilization activities for the MVCT center, voluntary counseling and general information dissemination.

This enabled the participants at the games, particularly young people the opportunity to receive counseling and testing at the games venue and also, take appropriate steps to cope with the outcome of the result. The youth counselors involved in provision of counseling service at the site received a one –day refresher-training course prior to the commencement of the games in order to update their knowledge and skills and also ensure uniformity of information and procedures.

Prior to the commencement of the playing it safe project for the national sport festival, several preparatory meetings were held between staff members of YARN and the UNFPA Ogun state office to fashion out activities and strategies that would best reach out to the target audience during the games. YARN also participated in the Ogun state Action Committee on AIDS (OGSACA) preparatory meetings for the Gateway games as well.

The UNFPA Country office was highly represented in the sport festival as representatives from the country office includes, Dr. Salma Burton Deputy representative UNFPA Abuja, Mr. Oluwafisan Bankale National Advocacy Adviser and Mr. Andat Dashe Programme officer UNFPA.

Y.A.R.N and AIESEC volunteers at rally at the GateWay Games in Ogun State,Nigeria.