Sands China and Yao Foundation Inspire Young Athletes in Macao
MACAO, December 5, 2024 – Sands China and the Yao Foundation co-hosted the Sands China · Yao Foundation Campus Basketball Charity Event at Hou Kong Middle School in Macao Thursday, demonstrating Sands China’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the community and investing in a healthy and active lifestyle for the next generation.
The event was attended by Director General of the department of Publicity & Culture of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR Wan Sucheng, President of the Sports Bureau Luís Gomes, Acting Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government Chan Iok Wai, Yao Foundation founder Yao Ming, President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Patrick Dumont, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd. Dr. Wilfred Wong, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd. Grant Chum, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sands China Ltd. and Managing Director of Venetian Macau Limited Dave Sun, Macau-China Basketball Association President Calvin Chui, Macau-China Basketball Association Chairman Wu Chong Fai, Yao Foundation Secretary-General Ye Dawei, and Yao Foundation Ambassadors.
The event included professional basketball training and friendly matches for Macao’s youth, promoting basketball culture, inspiring a passion for sports, and fostering teamwork. This initiative also celebrated the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to China and set the stage for the 15th National Games, which will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
The event received strong support from the Culture and Sports Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and the Macau-China Basketball Association. Special guests joined Yao Ming at the event, including former Chinese women’s basketball player Zhao Shuang, renowned street basketball player Wu You, former CBA coach Liu Tie, and former assistant coach of the China national men’s basketball team Li Ke, who served as honorary coaches.
Strengthening Macao’s Vision as a “City of Sports”
As part of the Macao SAR Government’s ongoing efforts to establish Macao as a “City of Sports,” and in honor of the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, Sands China and the Yao Foundation brought engaging basketball activities to local students with this event, enriching their extracurricular learning, fostering a vibrant sports culture in Macao, and contributing to the development of a new generation of basketball talent.
Iao Tun Ieong, Principal of Macau Hou Kong Middle School delivered a speech, stating that sports not only strengthen the body, but also shape personality and cultivate qualities. Through team sports, teenagers learn to communicate, cooperate, and cultivate team spirit and a sense of collective honor. The challenges in sports are valuable opportunities for young people to exercise their resilience and perseverance. He hopes that in the future, the youth of Hou Kong Middle School will have the opportunity to use basketball as a medium to have more mutual learning and communication with mainland youth, enhance friendships, and promote understanding.
In his speech, Ye expressed his gratitude to all partners and participants for their contributions to the program. He recognized Sands China’s dedication to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, highlighting the company’s role in bringing professional basketball training camps and competitions to Macao’s youth. Ye emphasized the importance of fostering basketball exchanges between Macao and mainland Chinese youth. He extended an invitation to Macao’s young basketball enthusiasts to participate in the Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball League in mainland China and welcomed rural youth from the mainland to experience Macao’s vibrant urban culture and unique heritage.
Chum said that collaborating on the event aligns with Macao’s positioning as a ‘City of Sports’ and ‘City of Events.’ With the 15th National Games approaching in Macao, the company is aiming to infuse the city with health and vitality while contributing to the sustainable growth of sports and sports tourism in Macao. Sands China’s goal is to provide a platform for mentorship and dialogue for young people, instilling in them the seeds of pursuing excellence and motivating their continuous advancement in the realm of sports. The company says it remains committed to organising sports exchange events to nurture teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship among young individuals, paving the way for their future development.
Celebrating Sports and Teamwork
Yao and Dr. Wong presented commemorative balls to the Liaison Office, the Sports Bureau, the Education and Youth Development Bureau, and the Macau-China Basketball Association. Yao and Chum presented sports equipment kits to Iao. Yao and Dumont awarded the “Yao Fund Honorary Coach” certificate to four Yao Foundation Ambassadors: Zhao, Wu, Liu, and Li. Gifts were then exchanged with Macau Hou Kong Middle School.
Beyond commemorating Macao’s 25th anniversary of its return to China, the event underscored Macao’s commitment to being a “City of Sports” and planted the seeds to dream big in the hearts of local youth. This initiative is expected to enhance basketball exchanges between Macao and mainland China, fostering opportunities for young talent to shine on larger stages and contribute to the continued success of Chinese basketball.
Sands Cares and Community Engagement
This initiative was part of the Sands Cares global corporate citizenship program, which reflects Sands’ ongoing commitment to making a difference in the communities it serves. Through Sands Cares, the company aims to address critical social issues, support youth development, and create opportunities that inspire future generations.
