Sunday, July 09, 2006

Sania to instil reading habit among youngsters in UK

London, July 09: India`s Sania Mirza is among a group of celebrity sportspersons taking part in a charity campaign aimed at encouraging reading habit among children.

The Indian has joined the likes of Venus Williams, Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman, alongside cricketers, rugby players, footballers, wrestlers and a basketball star to discuss their favourite books for the national literary trust`s reading champions campaign.

The trust, involved in raising literacy standards for all age groups in the UK, is hoping children will be persuaded to get into the habit of reading for pleasure by their sporting role models.

Sania Mirza, Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis all enjoyed best-selling author Dan Brown`s thrillers "Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons".

"We`re thrilled that such elite players value reading and have taken time to support this scheme," Katy Hamlin, manager of the Trust`S Study Support Centre said.

"Having reading role models is really important for young people and it`s so encouraging to know that our pupils may be motivated to pick up a new book and share the reading experience of a world-class tennis player."

Venus Williams said she liked "Charm School" by Susan Wiggs. "Reading is very important. I always have a book with me. It opens my mind, it strengthens my vocabulary, it's fun."

Neil McClelland, the trust`s director, said: "Sports stars can have a tremendous influence on people`s attitudes. By encouraging young people to view reading as a champion`s pastime, these players are helping to inspire young people to become readers."

Source: http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=308052&ssid=92&sid=SPO

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