AIDS affects all of us, says Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara

© UNICEF video

Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara supports Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 has teamed up with Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS. Here is one in a series of 10 profiles of well known cricketers who are supporting the campaign.

KUMAR SANGAKKARA is a hugely talented cricketer who shoulders a lot of responsibility for his team Sri Lanka. He bats at the key number three position and also keeps wicket.

He is a thoughtful man and is training to be a lawyer in his spare time. His keen interest in the world beyond the boundary has led Mr Sangakkara to become involved with the International Cricket Council, UNAIDS and UNICEF in promoting the Unite for Children. Unite against Aids campaign.

In a recent interview at the ICC Champions Trophy in India, Kumar Sangakkara said: "HIV/AIDS doesn't discriminate, it affects every one of us be it children, teenagers or adults.

“Unfortunately some people with HIV or AIDS are subject to daily abuses. Some have been thrown out of their jobs, their homes, disowned by their families and some have even been killed,” he said.

More compassion

“We need to be more understanding and compassionate when dealing with HIV and AIDS. Unfortunately an alarming 80 per cent of young adults still don't know how to protect themselves from the virus. Let us Unite for children, Unite against AIDS," he added.

Kumar Sangakkara's fierce desire to win at cricket is matched by a seemingly effortless grace when striking a cricket ball. A naturally aggressive player, if he gets in he tends to make big hundreds as he demonstrated in June 2006 when he scored 287 against South Africa in a world record third wicket stand of 624.

Not afraid of new challenges or responsibilities, this multi-faceted and charismatic figure is a powerful role model in the battle against the spread of HIV.

Written and produced by Mont Tombleson