Kesko scholarships to 42 talented young athletes and art students
This was the 18th time that Kesko rewarded young talented athletes and students of fine arts universities. This year Kesko scholarships were presented to 16 young artists and 26 promising athletes. In addition, Kesko grants went to the Finnish UN Association celebrating its 50th anniversary, and to WW Finland's 'Operation Mermaid' programme for the protection of the Baltic Sea.
The scholarship recipients were chosen on the recommendations made by fine arts universities, member federations of the Young Finland Association and the Finnish Workers’ Sports Federation TUL. The Kesko sports scholarships were granted to the Finnish Athletics, the Finnish Association of Sports for the Disabled, and the Swedish Sports Federation in Finland among others. The recipients of the Kesko culture scholarships represented four fine arts universities, namely the Academy of Fine Arts, the Sibelius Academy, the University of Art and Design Helsinki UIAH and the Theatre Academy. The total value of the scholarships was 40,000 euros.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Finnish UN Association and the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. The internationally expanding Kesko supports the Finnish UN Association in its anniversary year by donating 15,000 euros and participating in economic co-operation with the UN and its sub-commissions.
Kesko also supports WW Finland's 'Operation Mermaid' programme for the protection of the Baltic Sea. The 10,000 euro donation is part of the Group's co-operation agreement with WW Finland. Kesko is concerned about the protection of the Baltic Sea, as it operates in six Baltic rim countries. The 'Operation Mermaid' also includes WWF's voluntary oil brigades for whose equipment K-store customers can donate their Plussa points.
Further information:
Kesko Corporation, Senior Vice President Erkki Heikkinen, tel. +358 1053 22721
ENCL.
List of scholarship recipients
Kesko scholarships
| Organisation | Scholarship recipient | Domicile |
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| Swedish Sports Federation in Finland | Jonas Hamström (skiing) | Loviisa |
| Swedish Sports Federation in Finland | Clara Sandell (cycling) | Sipoo |
| Swedish Sports Federation in Finland | Karin Storbacka (track and field/running) | Pietarsaari |
| Finnish Ski Association | Harri Kyllönen (freestyle) | Kemijärvi |
| Finnish Ski Association | Lari Lehtonen (cross-country skiing) | Joensuu |
| Finnish Association of Sports for the Disabled | Teemu Partanen (wheelchair tennis) | Helsinki |
| Finnish Association of Sports for the Disabled | Juho Ketola (swimming) | Vimpeli |
| Finnish Association of Sports for the Disabled | Jussi Kokko (powerlifting) | Ylikiiminki |
| Finnish Judo Association | Antti Virta | Oulu |
| Finnish Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities | Elisa Aronen (figure skating) | Nummela |
| Finnish Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities | Mari Vainio (riding) | Anjalankoski |
| Finnish Weightlifting Union | Sini Kukkonen | Puumala |
| Football Association of Finland | Tuija Hyyrynen | Helsinki |
| Football Association of Finland | Jukka Lehtovaara | Turku |
| Finnish National Baseball Association | Anni Lamponen | Vantaa |
| Finnish National Baseball Association | Elina Lamponen | Vantaa |
| Finnish National Baseball Association | Ville Patala | Kiiminki |
| Finnish Squash Association | Saara Valtola | Mikkeli |
| Finnish Figure Skating Association | Laura Lepistö | Espoo |
| Finnish Figure Skating Association | Henriikka Hietaniemi | Helsinki |
| Finnish Worker's Sports Federation TUL | Hanna Lindgren (track and field/javelin) | Harjavalta |
| Finnish Worker's Sports Federation TUL | Tiina Vainionpää (wrestling) | Haukipudas |
| Finnish Athletics | Sami Itani (decathlon) | Jyväskylä |
| Finnish Athletics | Ari Mannio (javelin) | Lehtimäki |
| Finnish Athletics | Visa Hongisto (100 m) | Valkeala |
| Finnish Gymnastics Federation | Aino Aura | Helsinki |
| Academy of Fine Arts | Mika Kalilainen | Helsinki |
| Academy of Fine Arts | Pilvi Takala | Helsinki |
| Academy of Fine Arts | Timo Vaittinen | Helsinki |
| Academy of Fine Arts | Laura Wesama | Helsinki |
| Sibelius Academy | Marja Haapaniemi | Helsinki |
| Sibelius Academy | Tuuli Lukkarinen | Lahti |
| Sibelius Academy | Camilla Heidenberg | Maarianhamina |
| Sibelius Academy | Katri Tuomennoro | Helsinki |
| University of Art and Design Helsinki UIAH | Panu Puukari | Helsinki |
| University of Art and Design Helsinki UIAH | Karin Pennanen | Helsinki |
| University of Art and Design Helsinki UIAH | Arja Katainen | Helsinki |
| University of Art and Design Helsinki UIAH | Tomoko Kurahara | Helsinki |
| Theatre Academy | Aku Hirviniemi | Helsinki |
| Theatre Academy | Riikka Korpela | Rovaniemi |
| Theatre Academy | Alma Pöysti | Helsinki |
| Theatre Academy | Sanni Tirri | Helsinki |
