More than 250 local players joined the 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Inclusive Community Basketball Carnival yesterday at the University of Saint Joseph, bringing together Special Olympics athletes, students from special education schools, members of community care homes, and secondary school students through basketball.
The event was co-organised by Sands China Ltd., Macau Special Olympics (MSO), and the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), and featured five activities, including an inclusive basketball interactive zone, a basketball skills challenge, an inclusive basketball match, a community youth basketball tournament, and a training camp.
Sands Cares Ambassadors and members of the Sands China basketball team joined Special Olympics athletes in the inclusive basketball match, while volunteers from the University of Saint Joseph, Hou Kong Middle School, and Macau Special Olympics also supported the activities.
Sands China Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai said at the event that basketball could serve as a bridge connecting different groups in civil society and promote social inclusion.
He said the one-day carnival also helped build excitement for the NBA China Games 2026, which will be held next month, adding that Sands China would continue to support community sports and social inclusion as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Macau Special Olympics Executive Director Hetzer Siu Yu Hong said in a speech that the carnival was more than a sporting event, describing it as a platform for people of different abilities to participate in basketball, interact with one another, and build mutual understanding.
Siu said the event offered participants the opportunity to develop teamwork and confidence through sport. He also thanked Sands China for its continued support of Macau Special Olympics, adding that the carnival provided valuable training experience for local athletes preparing for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Chile.
The youth tournament featured teams from Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College, Pui Va Middle School, Escola São Paulo, and Colégio Diocesano de São José 6, with Escola São Paulo winning the competition.
Sands China said in a statement that its long-term partnership with Macau Special Olympics includes health services and inclusive sports programmes. The integrated resort operator noted that it has supported the Healthy Athletes® Programme for 13 consecutive years, providing free health screenings to more than 7,650 people since 2014.
Players and representatives pose for a group photo at University of Saint Joseph (USJ) on its Ilha Verde campus yesterday. – Photo: Sherwin Hng
