Melco Resorts & Entertainment said in a statement earlier this week that it organised two community events on June 27 and 28 for the “ISF World School Basketball Championship 2024” aiming to promote basketball and social inclusivity, and nurture local sporting talent.
The integrated resort (IR) operator was the sponsor of the nine-day basketball championship that ended on Tuesday.
The statement said that on June 27, around 40 basketball players from the Macau Special Olympics (MSO) and Richmond Fellowship of Macau (RFM) were invited to Studio City’s Seer Arena where the teams from the mainland showcased their 3-point shooting and ball passing drills, and also engaged in a brief friendly match with invitees, according to the statement. The event was also attended by Melco’s Volunteer Team members.
Moreover, on June 28, Melco’s REACH! Team and Volunteer Team participated in a Cultural Day at University of Macau (UM) to promote the sport and communicate the company’s aims of “boosting physical and mental wellbeing within the community”, according to the statement.
The company also supported MSO with a special booth, while Melco and MSO representatives also performed MSO’s theme song and “You Raise Me Up”.
The statement quoted Akiko Takahashi, executive vice president and chief of staff to Melco Chairman & CEO Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, as saying: “We wish to thank ISF and DSEDJ [Education and Youth Development Bureau] for collaborating with us to offer local community members the opportunity to interact with and learn from the talented young athletes and coach from Team China, helping to inspire and develop local sporting talent here in Macau.”
MSO National Director Hetzer Siu Yu Hong added: “These activities can enhance the self-confidence of Special Olympics athletes whilst at the same time demonstrate positive and healthy sportsmanship”.
RFM Alvorada Day Centre head Pekkle Ku noted that the event encouraged members to “believe in themselves and to chase their sporting dreams”.
This photo provided by Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s shows participants in its “ISF World School Basketball Championship 2024” community event watching a basketball game at Studio City.
