World stage for the maestro: Federer with a big performance for the UN

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This year the Roger Federer Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary. Since 2003, the tennis legend’s organization has supported children in various African countries, so that they have better educational opportunities and can make their future more promising.

To mark this anniversary, the maestro spoke this week to the UN headquarters in New York. In a speech lasting about two and a half minutes, the 42-year-old called for sufficient educational resources to be available, especially in children’s early stages of development. “I was presented with a survey and was shocked to discover that early childhood education is one of the most underfunded education sectors. But at the same time it is also the most expensive.”

It is incredible to see how children develop in the first five years of life. The Basel resident has seen how important the early years are in his own children. “If we do not support education from the start, I fear that the children will not be able to catch up.”

Has already helped more than 2.4 million children

This year he visited the South African country of Lesotho during a longer trip. His twin daughters (14) and sons (9) were also there for the first time. “They are now at an age where they can make such trips. I want them to get involved in philanthropy too.”

Federer, who won twenty Grand Slam titles during his glorious career, founded the foundation twenty years ago and was inspired by his mother Lynette (71), from South Africa. The former tennis player has already been able to support more than 2.4 million children in his mother’s home country and in five other African countries through his aid programs. (ch)

Source : Blick