The Priyanca Cup Ukraine Tennis Pro Am Fundraiser, a charity tournament organized by the initiative of Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko and Liza Rybakova Daiube in partnership with the Elina Svitolina Foundation, was held in early February at the Ritz-Carlton Resort in Key Biscayne, Miami (Florida, USA). The tournament’s goal was to raise funds to help Ukrainian children affected by the war. The organizers report that they have managed to raise over $70,000. This amount exceeded their expectations.

The event included a charity Pro/Am tournament followed by a silent auction, most of the lots for which were provided by the event’s main sponsor, Karim Alibhai, Gencom. These are vocations in five-star resorts in Costa Rica, Bermuda, and the USA, including resorts Colorado, and Key Biscayne. Organizers would like to thank Mr. Alibhai and the other sponsors – Jackie Schwartz with One Hotel (stay in a five-star hotel in Hawaii), Fabricio Alcobe stay in a five-star hotel in Mexico), Fred Daiube with MarineMax (private yacht cruise), and Major Food Group (dinners in their restaurants Carbon and Dirty French). 

On behalf of all Ukrainians, the event promoters would like to thank donors and partners, players and friends who did not have the opportunity to play but contributed. A special thanks to Lisette Lowen and Sara Andrade for making an incredible effort to manage the event. 

Karim Alibhai describes his desire to sponsor the tournament and the silent auction: “When my daughter Priyanka was born in 2006, I was inspired to help other, less fortunate kids. That’s how we started Priyanka Cup Fundraisers. Children in Ukraine affected by war are in urgent need now. We are on a safe land, and we can do something for others by coming together on the tennis court. We cheer for Ukraine and sincerely wish your country a speedy end to the war.”

Elina Svitolina, who came to Ukraine recently to give a masterclass to young Ukrainian athletes with Sergiy Stakhovsky to support, inspire and motivate them, says: “I am happy to see how the tennis world is united in support of Ukraine. The athletes have shown that they are not indifferent and are willing to act. I am grateful for the initiative of my compatriots Lesia Tsurenko and Liza Rybakova. I sincerely thank Karim Alibhai and other partners and donors who supported us. We will use the funds collected to support the projects we believe will be most relevant and effective under the current circumstances. This time it’s not just about young tennis players – we aim to help children who lost the opportunity to continue their education, and families who lost their homes and who need medical assistance”.