Cricket for a different cause

As the big match season promises to be more intensifying, the Class of 94’ of Royal and S. Thomas’ – the two schools involved in the history rich ‘Battle of the Blues’ cricket encounter – has come out with an innovation via cricket. The old boys from these two educational institutes have got together to conduct the inaugural ‘Condom Cricket Sixes’, a cricket tournament with a difference and a cause, which will be played at the Malay Cricket Club ground in Colombo today starting from 8.00am.

This particular six-a- side cricket tournament is jointly organised by the Class of 94’ of both schools has been played since 2006. This year however, together with the Grassrooted Trust, this partnership has come out with a different idea which is to raise awareness on HIV and pledge the support to people living with HIV in Sri Lanka.

“Currently there is a stigma associated with the purchasing of condoms in Sri Lanka; the premise is that a culture which promotes self- discipline before marriage and faithfulness to a spouse does not need a condom. In Sri Lanka there is a lack of accurate and comprehensive information being shared on HIV. So we thought of linking HIV with cricket in order to reach those who are remote through this popular sport,” explained Hans Billimoria, old Thomian, and a member of the Grassrooted Trust.

Condom Cricket, a stranger to Sri Lanka, was first invented by Hans himself in India in 2008 as part of the ‘ Wake Up Pune HIV Campaign’. This concept was used to communicate HIV prevention and support messages by using cricket, the most popular sport in South Asia.

“As old boys of S. Thomas’ and Royal we’re happy to support this cause,” said Shehan Perera, President of the Class of 94 of S. Thomas’ College.

Today’s ‘Condom Cricket Sixes’ tournament is expected attract a large number of old boys’ teams from both schools, and also a teams from the UN, National Youth Services Council and other civil society actors who have joined the fight against HIV in Sri Lanka. - NA