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FORMER NZ PRIME MINISTER KEY & LYDIA KO NEW ISPS HANDA CHARITY AMBASSADORS
New Zealand ’ s former Prime Minister John Key and women ’ s world number one Lydia Ko are the newest ambassadors for International Sports Promotion Society ( ISPS HANDA ), the leading global organisation supporting blind and disabled golf .
The ambassadors represented ISPS during the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth and ISPS HANDA Women ’ s Australian Open tournaments Feb . 16-19 , 2017 .
Key and Ko , are the latest high profile individuals to be named ISPS HANDA global brand ambassadors . They join other celebrated golfers , including threetime Major champion Padraig Harrington , PGA Tour winner Emilliano Grillo , former Ryder Cup Star Victor Dubuisson , Dame Laura Davies and England ’ s No . 1 Charley Hull .
ISPS HANDA ’ s philanthropy across the sporting world — in New Zealand in particular — is an effort for which Kiwi Key and Ko have supported for some time .
Between 2008 to 2016 when Key served as prime minister , he witnessed ISPS HANDA ’ s charity work at the ISPS HANDA 2016 New Zealand Women ’ s Open , where Lydia Ko was also the tournament ambassador . That tournament was held soon after a devastating earthquake hit the surrounding Christchurch region in November 2016 . The proceeds supported the city ’ s rebuilding effort after the disaster .
Speaking of Key and Ko , ISPS HANDA founder Dr Haruhisa Handa said “ We ’ re thrilled to have our newly enhanced ambassador team at ISPS . At ISPS we believe in the power of sport and its ability to change lives . The Rt . Hon . John Key and Lydia Ko perfectly represent our values , with their ability to inspire others both on and off the golf course .”
New Zealander Ko , 19 , became the youngest golfer at age 17 to be ranked No . 1 . At age 18 , she became the youngest two-time major winner . Ko now joins the team as a global ambassador and will sport the charity logo on her right sleeve .
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