Basketball star Ginobili appointed UNICEF Ambassador

Manu Ginobili, triple NBA champion, Olympic medalist and passionate defender of children, has been appointed UNICEF’s newest Argentina Ambassador.

Ginobili is known not only for his superb talent on the court, but also for his deep commitment to children. “I’m honored to be appointed a UNICEF ambassador,” he said. “It will give me the opportunity to help increase public awareness on issues related to the well-being and development of children.”

“Manu will contribute with his energy and unique talent to UNICEF’s work in support of children’s rights,” UNICEF Representative to Argentina Gladys Acosta Vargas said. “As Ambassador, Manu will help promote social change and bring attention to the country’s priority issues, especially those affecting adolescents.”

Nils Kastberg, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, stressed the importance of play as a children’s right. “The Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes children’s right to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to their age,” he said. “UNICEF relies on partners like NBA and Ambassadors like Manu to mobilize societies in favour of children.”

Argentina’s talented basketball player first teamed up with UNICEF in 2005 during a visit by NBA players to a hospital treating children living with HIV/AIDS. Ginobili, through his foundations, has also taken forward several projects benefiting children.

Ginobili joins other UNICEF Argentina Ambassadors - like Julian Weich and Diego Torres – who support UNICEF’s work to advocate for the rights of every boy, girl and adolescent in the country.