Sharapova's heart in her roots; appointed UNDP Goodwill Ambassador

New Delhi, Feb 15 (UNI) World number one tennis player Maria Sharapova joins the likes of soccer stars Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador.

Sharapova's work with the agency will include promoting international efforts to achieve the Millenium Developmental Goals, which mainly relate to improving the lives of the world's poorest people.

At a function at the UN Headquarters in New York, the reigning US Open champion donated 1,00,000 dollar towards eight youth-oriented projects in rural communities in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine that still suffer the after-effects of the Chernobyl disaster of 1986.

This shows that Sharapova hasn't forgotten her roots in Belarus.

Heer family had to flee the city of Gomel in Belarus in the wake of the Chernobyl accident.

''UNDP is very proud to welcome Ms Sharapova as our Goodwill Ambassador. She is a role model for young people who face challenging conditions in life,'' said Ad Melkert, UNDP's Associate Administrator and UN's Under-Secretary General.

Just after her appointment as Goodwill Ambassador, Sharapova said, ''My first step is to focus on the Chernobyl-affected region, where my family has roots. Today it is poverty and lack of opportunities that pose the greatest threat for young people in the Chernobyl region.'' ''UNDP works around the world making a positive difference in people's lives, and I am proud to add my personal committment to its work,'' the 19-year-old Russian said.

UNI