Ponda-based Goan teacher, Suniti Marathe, has been voted as the grand prize winner for the 2009 Heroes Among Us program, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour announced.

Suniti who has been a teacher for the last two decades, receives this honor for her leadership and commitment to serving as a role model and mentor to young people in her community of Goa, India.

Women Tennis Association (WTA) fans selected Suniti out of the five finalists in an online vote, which took place on the Tour's official website between September 28 and October 5, 2009. She was the only Indian among the final five finalists; the others were from the United States.

Three of the finalists had sports connections having worked with sports in different capacities, yet Marathe who was nominated by her son, Ajit, for the award clichéd the issue. Out of the four, Jill Massie-Braun got nominated for her cheerleading and gymnastics coaching work. Mareen Rankken efforts in promoting sports as a means of getting a scholarship to college students to better their lives and their communities both in US and in Jamaica got her the nomination, while Ella Brown-Hughes got nominated for her social work for the homeless families. Tony Brock, tennis coach was nominated for inspiring young underprivileged girls to believe in their dreams.

Ajit, nominated his mother because of her commitment to educating youth in local villages.

"She has gotten many kids in our area to read good books," said Ajit. "If books are not available in her library, she personally takes the kids to bigger libraries. Every person in our area recognizes her not only as a good teacher but as a good person."

Marathe, who runs a library and teaches out of her home, also travels to neighboring villages to teach and to distribute books and uniforms to children who are in need. According to Ajit, Suniti believes that reading not only improves knowledge, but helps improve awareness.

As the winner of the Heroes Among Us program, Marathe will receive a prize package for two to attend the Sony Ericsson Championships – Doha

2009, including tickets to the final, roundtrip airline tickets, accommodation, transportation, behind-the-scenes access at the tournament and tickets to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Year-End Party in Doha, Qatar.

"The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is very proud to honor Marathe, whose commitment to bettering the lives of youth in her community is deserving of recognition," said Stacey Allaster, CEO of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. "As a female leader and role model, Marathe emulates the values by which Billie Jean King founded the Tour. She is helping to develop future leaders and role models by creating an environment where children have the opportunity to learn and grow."

The Heroes Among Us program follows in the footsteps of the Tour's landmark global partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to raise awareness of gender equality issues and create leadership opportunities for women.