UNESCO to honor Uruguay soccer team's Tabarez

PARIS (AP) — The U.N.'s cultural arm is naming the manager of Uruguay's national soccer team a "Champion for Sport" in recognition of his efforts to bring sports to underprivileged children and involvement in literacy and other educational programs.

The Paris-based U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will honor Oscar Washington Tabarez on Monday.

In a statement Friday, UNESCO hailed Tabarez's "commitment to promote education and sport programmes for vulnerable children ... and his dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization."

Tabarez, who used to play for Uruguay, is also a qualified teacher.

Champions for Sport are generally athletes or former athletes who work to involve young people in sports and physical education.