Kolkata: In Kolkata a group of people afflicted by HIV/AIDS are using the crickets newest format 20-20 for eradicating the stigma attached to their disease.

One of these 15 men has Thalassaemia, the rest are HIV or full-blown AIDS affected.

Sailen Ghosh, organiser said, ",Cricket has become a popular game and T-20 has become a favorite game. So for stigma eradication there is no better way than this. That is why we made PLHA11. PLHA means People Living with HIV/AIDS.",

The tournament is called Red Ribbon Cup and sponsored by the West Bengal AIDS Prevention and Control Society and seven district teams are playing against PLHA11.

The squad is elated at the opportunity to play cricket like ordinary people.

Sunil Sahu, a team member said, ",There is a huge feeling of celebration in my life because we are playing in front of everyone and feeling like normal people. This is the biggest thing.",

The tournament will begin on August 15 with the first match being played in Raiganj in North Bengal.