The “2024 World School Basketball Championship” is slated to be held in Macau for the first time, with the competition taking place from June 23 to July 3.
The championship, which is annually hosted in different countries or regions, will be sponsored by integrated resort (IR) operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment, organised by the Belgium-based International School Sport Federation (ISF) and hosted by the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ).
The event aims to promote cultural exchanges among teenagers from all over the world and improve their athletic ability and competitiveness, according to a Melco statement provided yesterday.
A cooperation agreement signing ceremony was held at Grand Hyatt Macau in Cotai yesterday, with Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U, DSEDJ Director Kong Chi Meng, Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho Yau-lung and Melco Board Director Clarence Chung Yuk Man among the attendees of the event.
In his speech, Kong said that the government by organising high-level sporting events for students will provide opportunities for local students to interact with students from around the world and help promote Macau’s sport and tourism industries and enhance the city’s international reputation.
Kong added that under the coordination of the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, DSEDJ is also promoting regional academic activities, cultural tourism studies and international school sporting events to enrich Macau’s “education + tourism” resources, and develop a brand-new experience in leisure travel for young students and their families.
Meanwhile, Chung noted in his speech that the [basketball] event aims to attract young teams from many countries and regions to compete in Macau, promote Macau as a city of sport, and help local youngsters improve their competitiveness in sport, understand the cultures of various places and expand their international horizons.
The integrated resort operator will provide support for the upcoming championship event matches organisation, participant reception and broadcast arrangements.
Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho Yau-lung (back, left), Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U (back, right) pose with Melco Board Director Clarence Chung Yuk Man (seated, left) and DSEDJ Director Kong Chi Meng after the cooperation agreement signing ceremony for the upcoming ‘2024 World School Basketball Championship’, at Grand Hyatt Macau of the City of Dreams in Cotai yesterday. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
