By IANS
New York : The organisers of a women’s tennis tournament in India are donating $100,000 to a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) initiative aimed at creating gender equality around the world.
The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), which conducts the ongoing Bangalore Open, has given the money – the single biggest contribution so far to the Unesco programme – for funding several projects, including one in the Bangalore region that provides opportunities for women to assume leadership roles in the community, a UN press release said Wednesday.
US tennis ace Venus Williams, a winner of six Grand Slam singles crowns and a ‘Promoter of Gender Equality’ as part of this initiative, said she was “really inspired and motivated” by the donation from KSLTA. She is currently in Bangalore to participate in the tournament.
“These much-needed funds will allow for the creation of a programme in this region of India that will help form future women leaders in Indian society and beyond,” she said.
The Unesco programme, run in conjunction with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour since 2006, represents the first time that the agency has partnered with a professional sports association in such a way.
The partnership aims to raise awareness and funding through mentoring, scholarship and fellowship projects designed to create opportunities and the kind of environment for women and girls to succeed in all walks of life.