HONG KONG (3 June 2024) - Sun Life in partnership with global sport for social change foundation Beyond Sport, is excited to announce the opening of the newly refurbished Wah Sum Shopping Center rooftop basketball court in Fanling, the Northern district of Hong Kong. The refurbishment is part of a broader HK$ 5.7 million “Hoops + Health” program between the two partners to promote physical activity and healthier lifestyles among underprivileged youth across Asia. After successful court openings in Laguna, the Philippines (February 2024), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (April 2024), and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (May 2024) the Hong Kong investment continues Sun Life’s dedication to community engagement and elevating basketball as a platform for youth development.
In June, the court re-opens for the local community and residents to use free of charge. Our local partner, People’s Place, a community shopping centre brand under the management of Gaw Capital, who actively promote the integration of sports, art and community through user-driven design, will manage and maintain the site for the residents.
The Wah Sum Basketball Court, one of the People’s Place’s “Home Courts” Series, underwent a comprehensive renovation to enhance its accessibility and functionality and now features a vibrant multi-color design. The refurbishment included surface repair and painting, as well as the installation of new backboards, hoops and nets. Situated in the heart of Fanling, it is poised to become a hub for recreational activity and community gatherings in the mixed-income residential neighborhood. It will serve as a vital free-to-use resource for nearby schools and NGO groups, including the local public estate basketball team, the Wah Sum Snipers, enabling the broader community to engage in sports activities and events.
Irene Ho, Chief Marketing Officer of Sun Life Hong Kong Limited, said, “We are delighted to revitalize Fanling’s old basketball court into a lively and vibrant space that inspires individuals of all ages to embrace an active lifestyle. We are devoted to nurturing the next generations, providing local communities and youth with more space for activities. This can encourage them to have an active, healthy and positive lifestyle. Basketball is one of the world’s most popular sports and it is beneficial to the public’s physical and mental health development."
Alvin Lo, Managing Director of Asset Management (Mainland China & Hong Kong) of Gaw Capital, expressed that “Peoples’ Place under the management of Gaw Capital is honored to work with Sun Life and Beyond Sport to build a healthy community, using creativity to renovate Wah Sum Basketball Court and inject vitality into Wah Sum Shopping Centre. We are very much looking forward to the upcoming coach education workshop and a series of youth basketball activities, which will demonstrate our pioneering efforts in promoting a healthy lifestyle through different means, using sports to unite the community.”
In addition to the physical refurbishment, Beyond Sport’s regional Hoops + Health Coach Education Partner, ASA Foundation, will conduct a coach education workshop in June, training more basketball coaches to support their youth development work. The workshop will enhance skills and knowledge in using basketball as a tool to promote health and well-being, enhancing the skills and knowledge of the coaches. Looking ahead, a series of basketball sessions for youth under 18 will be organized at the court from early July. These sessions will be tailored to cater to the needs of different groups of people, including low income or underprivileged families, girls and young people with disabilities. Sun Life will continue to promote active and healthy lifestyles and build a healthy and inclusive community.
Adam Burgess, Director of Programmes at Beyond Sport, said, "We are thrilled to unveil the refurbished Hoops + Health basketball court at Wah Sum Shopping Centre in Fanling in partnership with Sun Life, marking another significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to use sport to create positive social change. This dynamic court is now ready to stand as a community hub for people of all ages and abilities. We are so excited to see the long-term use of this safer and more accessible place to play."
Sun Life's investment in the program aligns with its broader initiatives in Hong Kong, including sponsorship of large-scale community events such as Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Champions and themed fun runs. As the base for Sun Life's Asian regional team, Hong Kong serves as a strategic hub for driving positive change and fostering meaningful connections within the community.
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