The National Aids Secretariat (NAS) enjoined with the UNFPA, Ministry of Youths Affairs, AHF, Care, and other organizations to hold a day football gala in Makeni comprising the male and female categories in the bid to enlighten the general populace about the International Condom Day slated for Tuesday, 14th February 2023.

Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST) beat the University of Makeni 3-1 to emerge as champions for the male category, while Makeni-based Mena Queens FC secured a 1-0 win over Magburaka’s Fant FC and crowned as winners of the female category.

All matches were played on Saturday, 11th February 2023 at the Makeni Wusum field.

Speaking during the occasion, the Minister of Youths Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura commended the government of H.E Rtd, Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the organizations for hosting such a remarkable event and for particularly targeting the youths in implementing the project.

He ended by encouraging the youths not to be hesitant to do their HIV test adding “I have just done my test as I entered the field, and in fact, Malaria is now more dangerous than HIV so I want to appeal to all of my youths to go and do your test, it is free of cost” he added.

The Director General of the National Aids Secretariat Abdul Rahman Sesay disclosed to NewsFeed Sierra Leone that the one-day gala is among the series of activities set aside to celebrate International Community Day, other activities include; Marathon, community awareness raising while the youths remain at the center.

“The use of condoms prevent both sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy, we target the youths because the increase of HIV infections is more common among the youths and therefore they will help us communicate this message in their communities and to their colleague students” he concluded.