billy jean
Tennis legend Billie Jean King was yesterday named the "Global Mentor for Gender Equality" in an announcement made jointly by UNESCO and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
King, who won 12 Grand Slams in her illustrious career, now officially joins current tennis players Venus Williams of the US, Tatiana Golovin of France and Zheng Jie of China as core members of a team to promote women's leadership in all spheres of life.
The 64-year-old American, a leading advocate of gender equality since the 70s, said she is thrilled with her new designation in a social responsibility programme which is backed by UNESCO, a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), and the WTA Tour.
The new UNESCO and WTA Tour partnership will fund the "The Billie Jean King Leadership Programme", which is designed to help women gain experience in the sports industry through an internship at the Women's Sports Foundation — a project launched by King in 1974.
"Sport is a microcosm of society and we can achieve so much by giving equal opportunities to all, especially women, through sport," King said yesterday. "I am thrilled to be making this announcement at a time when UNESCO is about to celebrate its 60th birthday (on November 16)," the star of yesteryears added.
"This partnership is a strong step in an effort to improve gender equality issues on many levels and I am honoured to be part of this team," King said.
Addressing a press conference held at the Ritz-Carlton yesterday, Larry Scott, the CEO of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, said: "We launched this programme two years ago in Madrid in partnership with UNESCO. We have made rapid strides in this cause and are devoted to carrying on the good work."
In a video message shown during the media briefing, UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura said: "Today we are proud to welcome Billie Jean King into the Hall of Fame of our partnership and to designate her "Global Mentor for Gender Equality". This is in recognition of her tremendous career, which has inspired millions and changes the lives of young women across the world."
peninsula
King, who won 12 Grand Slams in her illustrious career, now officially joins current tennis players Venus Williams of the US, Tatiana Golovin of France and Zheng Jie of China as core members of a team to promote women's leadership in all spheres of life.
The 64-year-old American, a leading advocate of gender equality since the 70s, said she is thrilled with her new designation in a social responsibility programme which is backed by UNESCO, a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), and the WTA Tour.
The new UNESCO and WTA Tour partnership will fund the "The Billie Jean King Leadership Programme", which is designed to help women gain experience in the sports industry through an internship at the Women's Sports Foundation — a project launched by King in 1974.
"Sport is a microcosm of society and we can achieve so much by giving equal opportunities to all, especially women, through sport," King said yesterday. "I am thrilled to be making this announcement at a time when UNESCO is about to celebrate its 60th birthday (on November 16)," the star of yesteryears added.
"This partnership is a strong step in an effort to improve gender equality issues on many levels and I am honoured to be part of this team," King said.
Addressing a press conference held at the Ritz-Carlton yesterday, Larry Scott, the CEO of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, said: "We launched this programme two years ago in Madrid in partnership with UNESCO. We have made rapid strides in this cause and are devoted to carrying on the good work."
In a video message shown during the media briefing, UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura said: "Today we are proud to welcome Billie Jean King into the Hall of Fame of our partnership and to designate her "Global Mentor for Gender Equality". This is in recognition of her tremendous career, which has inspired millions and changes the lives of young women across the world."
peninsula
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