Image Credit: Second Serve.
San Diego, CA: Indian American teen Ayanna Shah has been nominated for the 2024 Sports Humanitarian Awards by ESPN, recognizing her impactful work through Second Serve, an initiative redistributing tennis equipment to under-resourced youth.
Ayanna Shah, a student at Del Norte High School in San Diego, founded Second Serve with her sister Amani five years ago. Starting with a simple idea to help kids access tennis, Ayanna's leadership has transformed the organization into a nationwide movement.
In her role as CEO, Ayanna has expanded Second Serve's impact by recruiting 100 new volunteers, establishing 76 partnerships, and extending their reach to 46 states.
Key Details:
- Second Serve Mission: Redistributes new and gently used tennis equipment to underprivileged kids, offering free clinics and fostering inclusion in tennis.
- Global Reach: Supports children passionate about tennis in the USA and globally, including Mexico, Uganda, India, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Haiti, Australia, Zimbabwe, Spain, and China.
- Youth Leadership: Empowers 220 young leaders, aged 12-17, to collect and distribute donations both locally and internationally.
- Impact: Over 27,000 pieces of tennis equipment distributed to date.
- Awards Event: The Sports Humanitarian Awards will be presented on July 10 at Citizen News in Hollywood, CA, as part of ESPYS Week.
- Broadcast: The 2024 ESPYS will air live on ABC on July 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
- Other Nominees: Conor Campbell and Hannah Smith in the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award category.
- ESPN's Statement: Celebrates athletes and sports professionals who use sports to drive positive community change.
Asia91 extends heartfelt congratulations to Ayanna Shah for her nomination, celebrating the inspiring work and noble cause led by such a young and dynamic leader.
You can visit https://www.secondserve.org/ for more details.