UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 10 -- Retired Algerian soccer striker Mustapha Rabah Madjer, who played in two World Cups and starred on the Portuguese club team FC Porto in the 1980s, is to become a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of his work with young people and promotion of sports values, UN officials said here Monday.

UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova will designate Mr. Madjer as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for a two-year term at a ceremony at its Paris headquarters on Wednesday, the officials said.

"As one of Africa's most celebrated football players and as a well-known sports broadcaster, Rabah Madjer will place his fame at the service of UNESCO, building tolerance and mutual understanding through sports," the agency said in a news release issued here Monday.

Born in 1958, he took up coaching immediately after retiring and managed several clubs as well as Algeria's national team. He has won the Ballon d'or Africain award and is also a television commentator on Al-Jazeera Sports network.

"UNESCO's Goodwill Ambassadors are an outstanding group of personalities who use their talent and status to focus the world's attention on the objectives and aims of UNESCO, creating visibility for its work in education, culture, science, communication and information," UNESCO said in the press release.

Numerous UN agencies appoint prominent figures from the worlds of the arts and sports as Goodwill Ambassadors to advance their causes.

【体坛英语资讯：Algerian soccer star to become UN Goodwill Ambassador】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Gwen Stefani pregnant: reports

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Tom Cruise and wife set to move to New York

★ 体坛资讯：Henry to arrive in Barcelona on Sunday

★ 体坛英语资讯：Arsenal back on top as Chelsea end goal drought

★ 体坛英语资讯：Russia march on to quarters, Israel beat Croatia

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Frances first lady also first in record sales

★ 体坛英语资讯：Mourning career likely over after knee injury

★ 体坛英语资讯：Zheng Jie knocks out top-seeded Ana Ivanovic at Wimbledon

★ 体坛英语资讯：Davenport stung by one-sided Cup loss

★ 体坛英语资讯：Tennis ace Peng ready for prime time