New Delhi: Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova on Wednesday became a goodwill ambassador for the UN Development Fund.
She also donated $1,00,000 to help victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
At a crowded press conference, Sharapova said she gave the money to eight UN development projects in rural communities in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine for young people still suffering from the April 1986 Chernobyl power plant explosion.
Sharapova is one of the highest paid female athletes in the world. She earned nearly $19 million last year in advertising endorsement and prize money.
"Growing up you never think of these kind of days, you think of playing at centre court at Wimbledon but you never think of being a global ambassador for the UNDP and I can't tell you how excited I am. I am probably more excited right now than I am before a Grand Slam final," Sharapova said.
"I was just briefed on Chernobyl's effects and how I will be involved with it and I'm so excited to be a part of this process. I can't wait to help with everything I can and once again thanks for coming today, I am looking forward to a fun but exciting challenge with this project," the world number one added.
Comments
0 comment