- Sands China invited NBA’s Phoenix Suns to visit MSO athletes.
- This was the latest initiative of the company’s Sands Cares community outreach program.
Sands China hosted a special event in early September, welcoming members of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns to Macau’s Complexo De Servisos Ngai Chun at Seac Pai Van. During the visit, the Phoenix Suns team members engaged in meaningful activities with young athletes from the Macau Special Olympics (MSO).
The Phoenix Suns delegation included James Jones, President, General Manager and former player; Suns legends Rex Chapman and Cedric Z Ceballos; current player Jusuf Nurkić, and Go, the Suns’ famously funny gorilla mascot.
During the visit, they participated in various interactive activities with the MSO athletes, including admiring the handmade ceramic artworks of MSO artist Che Kin Seng and coloring basketball-shaped incense holders with MSO athletes.
The Suns delegation also joined the MSO athletes for a health check-up, part of the “Healthy Athletes Program” sponsored by Sands China, which included sit-ups, stepping and stretching, and other exercises. Chapman also gave a skills demonstration to the young MSO members during his visit.
Dr Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd., expressed the company’s delight in hosting the event, emphasizing the aim of promoting community inclusion through joy and highlighting that sports transcend boundaries, especially in light of the recent Paris Paralympic Games. He also noted that, as the company celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Sands Cares Ambassador Programme, Sands China will continue to use this platform to bring positivity to the community through philanthropic, cultural and sports initiatives.
Nurkić remarked on the meaningful interaction with the young athletes from MSO, praising the organization for its impactful work in the community and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to participate, while also thanking MSO and Sands China for organizing the event.
