Promoting HIV/AIDS awareness is aim of weekend soccer tournament for local African immigrant communities

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Over the upcoming weekend of September 10 -12, members of the King County African immigrant community will come together to play and watch soccer and to learn about preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS in their local communities.

Taking place at the Starfire soccer fields at Fort Dent in Tukwila (Interurban Avenue South and Fort Dent Way), at least 15 teams representing different ethnic communities will compete for the championship of the Kick HIV/AIDS Away Soccer Tournament. All events will be free to the general public. The tournament hours are as follows:

Friday, September 10, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, September 11, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

After the championship match on Sunday, an award ceremony and party will proceed from 4-9 p.m., including complimentary African food, live music and award presentations by King County Councilmember Larry Gossett and Dr. Bob Wood, HIV/AIDS Program Director for Public Health – Seattle & King County.

Attention news editors: To arrange for interviews with organizers and team members, footage of soccer matches, and coverage of award ceremonies, please contact James Apa at 206-205-5442.

In addition to enjoying the games and festivities, 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 listings of available resources for HIV testing and treatment.

A recent report by Public Health – Seattle & King County (www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/publications/African-Immigrant-Project.pdf) concluded that HIV prevalence among African immigrants who reside in King County could be as high as 15%, with a substantial percentage of those people being unaware that they are infected.

The tournament is funded by the Public Health HIV/AIDS Program and is organized and promoted in collaboration with Covenant Mission International and POCAAN.

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