Shahar in action
Photo: AP
Tennis star Shahar Peer leads free clinic for 'underserved' kids
Ahead of US Open, Israeli women's tennis star leads a clinic for underprivileged New York City kids
Last week, 40 "underserved" New York City children had the unique opportunity to have a free clinic with Shahar Peer, one of the world’s top tennis players, ranked 19 in the Women’s Tennis Association and a competitor in the US Open starting this week.
Shahar Peer at the clinic (Photo: Courtesy of the Consulate General of Israel in New York)
The clinic was an initiative undertaken by the Consulate General of Israel in New York with the collaboration of the New York Sports Commission. Peer was very enthusiastic and eagerly agreed to take time away from her intensive preparation and give some training tips to these kids.
Assaf Shariv, the consul general, who attended the training session said: “We aim to enhance our relations with different communities in the United States such as the African-American and Hispanic and this initiative is yet another activity that will help us build strong and solid bridges with them.”
David Saranga, the consulate's media and public affairs officer, stressed the importance of sports as a means of enhancing Israel’s public image, saying: “Our goal is to show faces and aspects of Israel that do not often make the headlines. We are very happy organizing activities that do not focus on the conflict such as this one, with one of the world’s best tennis players volunteering to share her valuable preparation time ahead of the US Open, with underprivileged kids.”
At the end of the training session the kids received a gift bag with goodies from Israel and Reebok, Shahar’s official sponsor.
To see video of Peer's free clinic in New York, click here
