BHUBANESWAR:The Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup has not limited itself to a mega sports event, it played a huge part in raising awareness at the Kalinga Stadium where spectators formed a human red ribbon in the East Gallery on Saturday. While the day focuses on spreading awareness and eradicating stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, the theme for this year is ‘Know your Status’.
To mark the occasion, Odisha State AIDS Control Society (OSACS) integrated the theme at the biggest hockey event of the world to send the message. More than 2,600 spectators participated in the formation of human ribbon so that the mega sports platform, telecasted globally, could be used as a platform on conveying the issue.
Earlier, OSACS had distributed T-shirts and caps among the spectators who came to cheer the league round matches. Healthy Secretary Dr Pramod Meherda also joined the enthusiastic spectators and appreciated people for their interest to promote the cause.