Bracken shows support for HIV/AIDS awareness

Grenada, Jun 30 (UNI) Australian fast bowler Nathan Bracken took time out to visit local youth groups here this week to show his support for the ICC's partnership with UNICEF and UNAIDS and to raise awareness about the HIV virus.

Bracken, who is here for a one-day series against the West Indies, visited the Grenada Youth Development Centre, a multipurpose facility which offers a wide range of sporting and cultural activities to help the personal development of young people.

''I am glad to help in any way I can,'' Bracken said. ''The problem of AIDS is global and the more awareness we can raise about it will help reduce the stigma and will give people the information they need to avoid infection.'' After visiting the centre, Bracken then went to GRENCODA, a non-governmental organisation, to meet and interact with local children.

As well as taking questions from the children on a wide variety of topics, Bracken was only too happy to get involved in a game of cricket which helped reinforce some of the key messages of the ICC's partnership with UNICEF and UNAIDS.

''When I went there, it was a good opportunity to see what sports they're able to play,'' Bracken said. ''It was pleasing to see that the kids wanted to play cricket and they wanted to do well and bowl straight. They were learning discipline, which can help them in whatever they are doing, and apply it to other areas in life as well.

''I look at it as an opportunity to give something back to young people who don't always have the education or opportunities in life that I enjoyed. The programmes that I saw today really give young people an opportunity to learn,'' he added.

''The message that I gave them was it doesn't matter what you want to achieve in life, you have to work hard for it. I am exactly the same as them and have to work hard to achieve things.'' UNI XC AB BD1605