National Red Run 2.0 promotes HIV awareness through sports and inclusion

Panaji: Around 150 runners from across India participated in the National Red Run 2.0, held at Miramar, Panaji, on Saturday. The event, organized by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in collaboration with the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS), aimed to raise awareness about HIV prevention through sports and community engagement.

Minister flags off 10-km race

Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Shripad Naik, flagged off the 10-km run, which featured top winners from state-level Red Runs held across the country. Participants competed in male, female, and transgender categories.

Winners across categories

Male category: Nabeel Sahi (Kerala) clinched the first prize, followed by Daniel Wahlang and Skhemlang Shubha (Meghalaya).

Female category: Shreya (Chandigarh) took the top spot, with Anjali (Uttarakhand) and Manisha (Madhya Pradesh) securing second and third places.

Transgender category: Tanu Thsokcsom (Manipur) won first place, while M Naresh (Andhra Pradesh) and Gargi Chikhalkar (Maharashtra) earned second and third.

Cash prizes of Rs 50,000, Rs 35,000, and Rs 25,000 were awarded to the top three finishers in each category.

Solidarity run for awareness

A 2-km Solidarity Run was also organized, featuring participants from diverse backgrounds, including policymakers, representatives from civil society, youth, persons with disabilities, transgender individuals, and the general public. The event aimed to foster support for those living with HIV and combat stigma. All participants received completion certificates and medals.

Voices from event

Addressing the prize distribution ceremony, Minister Shripad Naik emphasized the societal impact of HIV/AIDS. “AIDS is not an independent issue; it affects society as a whole. With advances in medical research, we must work together to combat this disease,” he said. He urged those affected to register with the government system for better support.

Member of Parliament Sadanand Tanawade highlighted the importance of individual contributions to complement government efforts in raising HIV awareness.

The event was attended by senior officials, including V Hekali Zhimomi, Director General of NACO; Nikhil Gajraj, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Dr. Lalitha Umraskar, Project Director of GSACS.

Red Ribbon clubs: A vital initiative

The National Red Run is part of a broader initiative involving over 13,000 Red Ribbon Clubs across India. These clubs aim to engage youth in HIV/AIDS prevention, dispel myths, and create safe spaces for discussions on HIV, STIs, and drug abuse.

The first edition of the National Red Run was held in Goa in 2023, and its continued success underscores the importance of youth involvement and community outreach in combating HIV/AIDS.