The family of Ms. Sharapova, 23, fled the Belarusian city of Gomel a year before she was born because of radiation concerns in the wake of the accident, which exposed more than 8 million people in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia to radiation.

Arriving in Belarus yesterday from the United Kingdom, where she competed in the Wimbledon tournament, the three-time Grand Slam champion first visited the town of Chechersk.

At a hospital there, she stopped at the so-called Fairy Tale Room where children are treated through interactive games and psychotherapeutic sessions.

It is one of the initiatives supported by the three-time Grand Slam champions Maria Sharapova Foundation, which, in partnership with UNDP, supports seven youth-oriented projects and a scholarship programme in areas affected by the Chernobyl accident.

Ms. Sharapova today made a personal contribution of 0,000 to further expand the UNDP-supported activities.

She also visited the Ecology of the Soul scheme, another project funded by the foundation, which works with young people to give public spaces a facelift. All of the children clamoured to have their photographs taken with the Russian tennis ace.

They are definitely a good example of how local communities can overcome the victim syndrome, take greater control over their lives and build productive futures for themselves, Ms. Sharapova said.

Today, she visited a tennis centre in Gomel, where she met the 2010 winners of a five-year scholarship for youth from Belarus Chernobyl-affected areas.

Ive seen progress in Gomel and kids with a great potential to do even more. What they need is to work hard and believe in themselves. Having supported health and education initiatives, I am very happy to start contributing on sports and physical activities that promote healthy lifestyles, Ms. Sharapova said.

The project a joint collaboration between her foundation and UNDP seeks to help talented students access high-quality education in the countrys top universities.

Maria Sharapovas work in this region will convey a message of optimism to young people, in a once-blighted region, where a return to normal life is now a realistic project, said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark.