A remarkable Kicking AIDS Out orientation training took place in MYSA headquarters conference room on the 1st and 2nd February 2011. 25 football players from Mathare United F.C (a football team that plays in the Kenyan premier league) attended the two day training. Among the participants were four Kenyan National football team players who recently participated in the Nile basin championship in Egypt namely; Heavener Maloba, Martin musalia, Kennedy Ayong and Lloyd Wahome participated. The players exposed the unexploited leadership potential when they demonstrated leadership skills during the training.
The training was conducted by two lead facilitators, Ms Evelyn Ajing and Ms Pauline Ajwang who were vibrant and eloquent throughout the sessions. Myths, attitudes and facts around HIV and AIDS were some of the issues that were discussed during the sessions as well as sexually transmitted infections and relationship between HIV and opportunistic infections. They also learned on how to integrate sport skills specifically football drills and life skills using the Kicking AIDS Out concept. The facilitators used participatory methodologies in engaging the players, I remember at one point where the participants were asked to mention some of the reproductive organs in sheng (Swahili slang) and stating their functions. This became so interesting to see the participants blushing at first, then suddenly coming out their shell and sharing so excitedly. In deed the exercise triggered a healthy discussion where the players learned on how to communicate effectively when conveying HIV and AIDS messages to young people.
"The players kept on contributing to the discussions and I am very impressed by their contributions. It was a noble idea to train these players on some of the social issues that affect our communities," Salim Mohammed (Mathare United Coach and Assistant Coach Kenya National Team).
Plans are under way to organize a one week training of this role models in which they will undertake new roles and responsibilities within the team by contributing to community development on key issues such as HIV and AIDS prevention and drug and substance abuse. They will also help with the implementation of Kicking AIDS Out activities during organized sport clinics using the football drills. Mathare United get (60% of their allowance from completing a community service. This has been a trend ever since the team was formed and thus emphasizes on the need for being a role model on and off the field).
The players will further be supported and mentored by the facilitators as they prepare to undertake their first post-training activity.