captain Rahul Dravid and his Aussie counterpart Ricky Ponting, would take part in publicising the UN-sponsored campaign against HIV/AIDS. The cricket stars will feature in public service announcements and other events during the seven-week championship, which is due to start later this month, reported the BBC. The 30-second public service announcements will be available to broadcasters free of charge and will feature leading cricketers speaking about how the disease affects children. More than two billion television viewers are expected to tune in to the tournament, the UN statement said. According to the report, cricket is popular in many countries badly affected by HIV/Aids. India and South Africa between them have around 11 million of the estimated 40 million people living with the disease worldwide, the United Nations said in a statement. The International Cricket Council has teamed up with the UN to involve the stars in the campaign against the disease. \"Sport stars such as top cricketers can act as role models for today\'s young generation and reach out to them on Aids issues. Sport is a force for change that can break down barriers, build self-esteem and teach life skills and social behaviour,\" the report UNAids executive director Peter Piot as saying. (ANI) http://in.sports.yahoo.com/070308/139/6d00a.html
