Nadal, Nalbandian, Japan Earthquake Fund Receive ATP Aces For Charity Grants

© Hiroshi SatohRafael Nadal received his Foundation's cheque from Brad Drewett.

Three of the inaugural 12 grants for 2011 from the ATP ACES For Charity programme were presented on centre court at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo on Sunday. The recipients were the Rafa Nadal Foundation, the David Nalbandian Foundation, and the East Japan Earthquake Charity Fund.

Brad Drewett, ATP Chief Executive Officer for the International Group, presented the cheques to defending Tokyo champion Rafael Nadal and former World No. 3 David Nalbandian for their respective Foundations. On hand to receive the grant for the East Japan Earthquake Charity Fund were Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships Tournament Director Nao Kawatei and two children out of the 200 who were invited from Sendai and Fukushima, cities close to the earthquake epicentre.

“For me, and especially for my Foundation, it’s important,” said Nadal. “We are working hard on a few projects and to receive a cheque like this is very positive and for sure will help a lot.”

The Rafa Nadal Foundation, launched in February 2008, aims to provide opportunities for socially disadvantaged youth. The Foundation offers educational programmes using sport as a tool for personal and social integration, passing on values such as effort, self-improvement and respect.  It is currently affiliated with three projects: the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in Antapur, India; the Special Olympics; and the Aldeas Infantiles SOS.

The David Nalbandian Foundation aspires to create positive conditions that help people with a disability lead better lives. It has equipped special needs schools and hospitals throughout the province of Cordoba in Argentina, and opened a community centre that integrates specially adapted technology.The David Nalbandian Foundation will also open a Rehabilitation Centre, which will provide healthcare programs and services for the community – reaching a population of 120,000 people – in a state-of-the-art facility.

“I’m happy because here it’s very far away and it’s tough for our Foundation to work hard and be able to do a lot of stuff,” said Nalbandian. “Receiving some help from here is very pleasing to us.”

The Japan Tennis Association (JTA), organiser of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships, aims to assist individuals affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Eastern Japan this past March. Proceeds from its charity fund go toward the Japan Red Cross and to local youth tennis groups through the Tohoku Tennis Association headquartered in Sendai, the nearest major city to the earthquake epicentre.

Earlier this year, the ATP – governing organisation of the men’s professional tennis circuit - established a new grant program, The ATP ACES For Charity program, to recognise ATP players and tournaments for their outstanding contributions to charitable causes around the world. It is a global initiative aimed at giving back to communities where ATP World Tour events are played, as well as recognising and supporting tournament and player charitable initiatives.

The ATP has announced the 12 inaugural recipients of its ATP ACES For Charity grant programme. Grants of 10,000 US Dollar/Euros each will be awarded by the ATP on an annual basis to charitable causes nominated by ATP World Tour players and tournaments.

See a full list of 2011 ATP ACES For Charity grants recipients:

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