Kuerten picks up UNESCO award

World number one and three-times French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten has picked up another prize -- the UNESCO 2001 award for Youth and Citizenship.

The Brazilian won the award from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for his achievements as a tennis player, his social work with the Gustavo Kuerten Institute and for what he represents as a sportsman and a person in Brazil.

"I am very happy to win this prize, especially as it comes from such an important organisation as UNESCO," Kuerten said.

The 25-year-old founded his own institute in August 2000 -- The Gustavo Kuerten Institute -- which is presided over by his mother, Alice.

They recently donated $129,000 for organisations that assist handicapped people in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

"The prize was awarded by the UNESCO Brazilian Office in recognition of the activities of the Gustavo Kuerten Institute founded a year ago in Florianopolis for the social integration of poor children through sport," a UNESCO statement said.

"The institute provides sports material, food, transport and training to disadvantaged children with a special talent for sport but whose families are too poor to help them develop their skills."

The UNESCO prize -- a medal and a diploma -- was created by the Brazilian Office three years ago to reward outstanding contributions in the categories: education, science and environment, culture, communication, human rights and culture of peace, and youth and citizenship.