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Ambassadors Hooks and Touré during the ceremony (Photo: Teko Folli/US Embassy)

Ivoirian Soccer Maestro Becomes PEPFAR Ambassador Against HIV/AIDS

Ivoirian international footballer Touré Yaya Gnégnéry has been sworn in as an Ambassador in the "Sports for Life" program, a campaign tailored by the PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) to fight HIV/AIDS in Côte d’Ivoire. The document making Mr. Touré, 24, an HIV/AIDS campaigner was officially signed on July 9, 2007 at a ceremony in Abidjan.

US Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Aubrey Hooks saluted Touré for agreeing to join the PEPFAR team in the fight against HIV/AIDS as an Ambassador for Sports for Life. He advised him that "Your role now, is to boot HIV/AIS out of Africa."

Responding to the challenge, the new PEPFAR Ambassador said: "I’m aware that we sportsmen are a role model for young people. I’m ready to devote my time telling them to do the right thing. I’ve volunteered to become an Ambassador in the "Sports for Life" campaign in order to save lives in my country, and to help my younger brothers and sisters to grow up healthily." The Ivoirian footballer, a legend in his times, has just signed on to play for the world-class FC Barcelona club.

Designed by Johns Hopkins University, the PEPFAR-funded program is aimed at equipping thousands of young soccer-playing boys and girls with the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves against the disease. Sports for Life is also one of many HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment projects supported by PEPFAR, whose 2007 budget in Côte d’Ivoire totals $84 million USD.

It’s believed that appearances and publicity by the young midfielder, whose meteoric rise has taken him from Côte d’Ivoire’s Académie Mimosifcom to a professional contract at age 18, will definitely add to the buzz generated by the growing Sports for Life program.

Since its inception in Côte d’Ivoire in December 2006, Sports for Life has reached more than 12,000 youngsters with HIV prevention messages through activities built around soccer. Begun in Abidjan, the program will expand to Abengourou, Bouaké, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro in 2008.

PEPFAR is a five-year, $15 billion initiative to help countries around the world turn back the tide of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In Cote d’Ivoire, one of 15 priority countries selected for intensive U.S. support, PEPFAR is by far the largest funder of HIV/AIDS programs.