The United Nations World Tourism Organisation appointed the Georgian basketball player Zaza Pachulia as a Special Ambassador for Sports Tourism, along with American basketball legend Stephen Curry, the organisation said on Wednesday.

Zurab Pololikashvili, the UN Tourism Secretary-General, who presented the greatest athletes at the Golden State Warriors arena in San Francisco, said “It’s a huge thrill and a real honour to welcome the world-famous athletes Stephen Curry and Zaza Pachulia into the UN Tourism family”.

Their achievements on the basketball court and their commitment to community development make them exemplary figures to promote the benefits of sports tourism worldwide. Curry and Pachulia will help take UN Tourism’s work in the promotion of sustainable and inclusive sports tourism to the next level”, Pololikashvili added.

Zaza Pachulia, the three-time champion of the National Basketball Association with the Golden State Warriors, noted he “has dedicated my entire life to sports and I do understand exactly how positive impact it can have on both tourism and people’s lives in general”.