NOCZ President's Message on the occasion of 2020 World AIDS Day.

Sport is hugely popular amongst young people in Africa, Zambia, and across the globe more so than any other voluntary activity.

Sport is therefore a credible and attractive way of engaging the attention of young people and providing a platform from which to promote prevention, de-stigmatisation, and to encourage the development of important life skills.

In line with our commitment, the national Olympic committee of Zambia joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Aids Day.

Our commemoration is guided by the 2020 THEME: ENDING THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC: RESILIENCE & IMPACT.

We join millions who understand that the epidemic is not merely a health challenge but a challenge with profound social, cultural, and economic consequences and touches on matters that are intensely personal and private.

HIV and AIDS can only be overcome by individuals taking responsibility for their own lives and the lives of those around them.

NOCZ President Alfred Foloko (Centre), Phenomenal Youths Association Director Oswald Chisenga (left) and NOCZ Programmes Officer Tinyiko Noombo (right) during the World Aids Day Talk at Olympafrica Centre in Lusaka.

The National Olympic Committee of Zambia recognises the wider role that sport can play in achieving domestic policies –specifically its contribution to tackling HIV & AIDS, building on the government’s domestic experience of using sport to contribute to social and human development.

The popularity of sports activities, especially organised sports activities, means that they can offer a very effective point of access for conveying information, influence, and advice about HIV & AIDS.

“SPORT IS A UNIQUE TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT”

Although the challenges have been huge, NOCZ commits to respond strongly and resiliently to matters concerning the effects of HIV & AIDS through sport, by impactful collaborative partnerships as such with the UNAIDS who are main advocates for accelerated, comprehensive, and coordinated global action on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and phenomenal youths association, a group of Zambian vibrant youths whose mission is to champion the importance of accepting one's status through counseling and stress the importance of adhering to medication (ARVS), eating balanced diets and also living a positive and healthy life with great self-esteem!

TOGETHER WE CAN OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE.

LET TODAY BE THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA.

LET THERE BE NO MORE SHAME, NO MORE BLAME, NO MORE DISCRIMINATION AND NO MORE STIGMA.

Let this be the start of an era of openness, of taking personal responsibility, and of working together in unity to prevent and END THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC THROUGH RESILIENCE & IMPACT.

WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN ACHIEVE THESE GOALS!

THANK YOU.