GRS HCT: Motherwell

On Wednesday April 27^th, South Africans celebrated Freedom Day – a very important day in the nation’s history commemorating the country's first post-apartheid elections in 1994. Grassroot Soccer Port Elizabeth hosted an HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) Soccer tournament in Motherwell. This was the third such event I was involved with in my internship experience. 

Having hosted tournaments in Zwide and New Brighton townships previously, it was Motherwell’s turn this time around.Planning was a painstaking process as we sought to make the most of the Public holiday to engage over 200 kids and get almost 100 community members tested for HIV. The biggest challenge was ensuring the 16 teams of 14 players would all show up – on the day to participate in an all day event where they would play soccer, participate in GRS avtivities and have the opportunity to test for HIV.

14 out of the 16 made it, the tone of the tournament was fun, loud and merry. Overall 280 people tested for HIV, including over 150 players and over 100 community members.