Feature story

Grassroot Soccer appoints UNAIDS Executive Director as a member of its Global Board of Directors

03 November 2011

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé poses for a team photo with young people taking part in one of the Grassroots Soccer skills building sessions. Capetown, 4 May 2011.
Credit: UNAIDS/AFP Photo G. Guercia

Grassroot Soccer announced on Wednesday the appointment of the UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé as a member of its Global Board of Directors. Grassroot Soccer is an international nonprofit organization that uses the power of soccer to prevent new HIV infections among youth in Africa.

“Learning through sport is one of the most effective ways of building confidence and raising HIV awareness,” said Mr. Sidibé. “Grassroot Soccer is making a positive difference in the lives of young people across Africa and I am very proud to be a part of this important movement.”

The non-profit organization also appointed the former CEO of Product (RED) Susan Smith Ellis as a member of its Board.

“In our first ten years, we’ve provided more than 450,000 young people in Africa with vital information on HIV prevention and life skills,” said Thomas Clark, MD, Grassroot Soccer Founder and CEO.  “With the expertise and passion of these new board members to compliment our team, we’re confident we will reach our goal of graduating one million youth through our program by the World Cup 2014, and empowering whole communities to live more healthy productive lives, with soccer as the hook.”

Learning through sport is one of the most effective ways of building confidence and raising HIV awareness

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé

Grassroot Soccer has programs in 10 African countries with flagship sites in South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Founded in 2002 by four professional soccer players, Grassroot Soccer engages professional African football players, coaches, teachers and peer educators in several countries to deliver an interactive HIV prevention and life skills curriculum to youth. Topics include making healthy decisions, avoiding risk, building support networks, reducing stigma and discrimination, increasing knowledge about testing and treatment, addressing gender issues and assessing values.