2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Inclusive Community Basketball Carnival
Walking together, making friends through basketball without boundaries
Demonstrating the Sands Cares spirit of community care and inclusion
(Macao, Sept. 13, 2026) – To promote social inclusion, support community sports in Macao, and actively respond to the Macao SAR government’s initiative to promote the integrated development of “sports + tourism,” Sands China held the 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Inclusive Community Basketball Carnival Sept. 13 at the University of Saint Joseph, attracting over 250 residents from the local community. Representatives from several special education schools, community centres, and residential care homes, as well as members of four secondary school basketball teams, were invited. Together with Sands Cares Ambassadors and members of the Sands China basketball team, they played in basketball competitions and enjoyed interactive games, conveying the values of inclusion and mutual care between people with and without disabilities. At the same time, it helped build excitement in the community for the highly anticipated international sporting event, The NBA China Games 2026.
Co-organized by Sands China Ltd., Macau Special Olympics and the University of Saint Joseph, the carnival aimed to break down barriers through basketball, providing a platform for people of different abilities to showcase themselves and build teamwork. The event featured five main activities: the Inclusive Basketball Interactive Zone, the MSO Basketball Technique Challenge, the MSO Sands China Inclusive Basketball Match, the 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Community Youth Basketball Tournament, and a basketball training camp.
Members of the Sands China basketball team and Sands Cares Ambassadors actively participated in the MSO Sands China Inclusive Basketball Match, with the “MSO Sands China Love Team” emerging as the winners. The participating Sands China team members stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Macau Special Olympics athletes during the match, helping them build confidence and strength in preparation for stepping onto the international stage at the Special Olympics Summer World Championships in Chile in 2027. The quadrennial competition is expected to attract nearly 6,000 Special Olympics athletes from around the world, representing approximately 170 countries and regions. Macau Special Olympics basketball players will be there to participate, striving for excellence as they represent Macao.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China has always been committed to promoting social inclusion and actively supporting the development of community sports in Macao. With The NBA China Games to be held in October, basketball once again demonstrates its unique power to unite the community and promote exchange. This time, we are using basketball as a bridge to connect different groups in the community, allowing more citizens to get involved in the passion of basketball and experience the positive energy and spirit of inclusion that sports bring. We are very pleased to co-organize this basketball carnival with Macau Special Olympics and to see their athletes, Sands Cares Ambassadors, and local youth competing and encouraging each other on the court, fully demonstrating the inclusive power of sports that transcends boundaries. We look forward to them continuing to shine on the court and striving for excellent results. Sands China will also continue to firmly fulfil its corporate social responsibility, working with all sectors of society to promote the popularization of sports and community inclusion, and contributing to building a more harmonious, caring, and vibrant community.”
Hetzer Siu, executive director of Macau Special Olympics, said: “The 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Inclusive Community Basketball Carnival is not only a sporting event, but also a valuable platform to promote community inclusion and allow people of different abilities to experience basketball. We are delighted to collaborate with Sands China and the University of Saint Joseph to create opportunities for people with and without disabilities to enjoy basketball together and make friends through the sport. This event attracted over 250 participants, including Special Olympics athletes, special education students, community care home staff, secondary school basketball team members, and Sands Cares Ambassadors. Through basketball interaction and exchange, everyone embodied the spirit of ‘People with and without Disabilities Together.’ We especially thank Sands China for its continued support, not only for its full commitment to inclusive events, but also for arranging for its basketball team members to accompany Special Olympics athletes during pre-game training. With the Special Olympics Summer World Championships in Chile approaching in 2027, this carnival provided athletes with valuable practical experience. We hope to continue to unite community forces and promote the spirit of inclusion in Macao in the future.”
Sands Cares Ambassadors, volunteer teams from Hou Kong Middle School and the University of Saint Joseph, and volunteers from the MSO Ambassador programme provided full support for the event. They demonstrated for individuals with special educational needs how to complete skills challenges such as spot passing, spot shooting, and 10-meter dribbling for the MSO Basketball Technique Challenge. It not only provided a valuable opportunity for the younger generation to serve the community and cultivate empathy, but also showed the positive power of community mutual assistance, inclusion of people with and without disabilities, and growing together.
The 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Community Youth Basketball Tournament delivered exciting competition, with enthusiastic participation from Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College, Pui Va Middle School, Escola São Paulo, and Colégio Diocesano de São José 6. The teams gave their all, bringing high-energy matches to the audience. Ultimately, Escola São Paulo was crowned tournament champion amidst enthusiastic cheers and applause.
The carnival was held at the University of Saint Joseph, a key partner of Sands China in promoting community collaboration. In 2018, the Adelson Family Foundation donated over MOP 15 million to the university to assist with campus reconstruction and recovery efforts following Typhoon Hato, including rebuilding the library, server rooms, audiovisual studios, and essential campus facilities such as gyms and recreational areas. For many years, both parties have continued to collaborate in various areas, including education, sports, and community service, to jointly promote community development and the building of an inclusive culture in Macao.
Sands China has been long committed to supporting the health development of people with disabilities. For 13 consecutive years, the company has supported the Healthy Athletes® Programme, providing free health screenings for more than 7,650 people since 2014. To provide more comprehensive medical support, Sands China established a dedicated fund for people with intellectual disabilities, which has funded more than 930 people to receive follow-up medical and care services. This year, Sands China also donated MOP 592,900 to support Macau Special Olympics health services and promote the development of diverse sports, including the 2026 Special Olympics Community – Healthy Athletes® Programme, the 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Greater Bay Area Badminton Invitational, and the 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Inclusive Community Basketball Carnival, helping to build a comprehensive support system.
Sands China’s long-term collaboration with Macau Special Olympics has yielded significant results. In 2022, the company received the Global Health Leadership Award, the highest global honour from Special Olympics International and the Golisano Foundation. Sands China is also a two-time recipient of the two organisations’ Health Leadership Award, in 2020 and 2024, recognizing its contributions to promoting health equality for people with disabilities and the development of inclusive communities.
Guests attending the awards ceremony included: Ngan Iek Hang, member of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR; Ao Ieong Chin Tat, functional head of department of the Centre of Psycho-pedagogical Support and Special Education; Catherine Kong, vice president of corporate communications and community affairs for Sands China Ltd.; Chan I Vo, vice chairman of the executive board of Macau Special Olympics; Dr. Alejandro Salcedo, interim rector of the University of Saint Joseph, Macao; Lam Kim U, principal of Concordia School for Special Education; Ao Sok Kuan, principal of Escola Caritas de Macau; Chiang Hun I, principal of Escola Kai Chi; Choi Man Toi, director of the Administrative Commission Secretariat of the Henry Fok Foundation; Hetzer Siu, national director of Macau Special Olympics; Ho Yan Fei, board member of the Macau Autism Association; Chen Huan Xiao, director of the Macau Down Syndrome Association; Ieong Sao Mio, head of coordination of Fuhong Society of Macau; Chio Mei Sim, officer-in-charge of Richmond Fellowship of Macau; Ieong Ka Fai, team leader and sign language interpreter of the Macau Deaf Association; Katie Lo, registered social worker of Methodist Macau Social Services – Sunny Home; and Cheang Chan Ip, basketball head coach of Escola Secundária Pui Va.
Photo caption: Participants in the 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Inclusive Community Basketball Carnival, co-organized by Sands China Ltd., Macau Special Olympics and the University of Saint Joseph, gather at the University of St. Joseph on Sept. 13. The event promoted the concept of inclusion between people with and without disabilities through basketball competitions, and also served to drum up excitement for the highly anticipated The NBA China Games 2026.
Photo caption: Sands Cares Ambassadors, volunteer teams from Hou Kong Middle School and the University of Saint Joseph, and volunteers from the MSO Ambassador programme provide support at the inclusive carnival event. They demonstrated for individuals with special educational needs how to complete skills challenges such as spot passing, spot shooting, and 10-meter dribbling for the MSO Basketball Technique Challenge, showing the spirit of community mutual assistance and companionship for people with and without disabilities.
Photo caption: Sands China team members play alongside Macau Special Olympics athletes during the MSO Sands China Inclusive Basketball Match, helping them build confidence and strength in preparation for stepping onto the international stage at the Special Olympics Summer World Championships in Chile in 2027.
Photo caption: The “MSO Sands China Love Team” (left photo)was the winner of the MSO Sands China Inclusive Basketball Match, while Escola São Paulo (right photo) won the 2026 MSO Sands China Cup – Community Youth Basketball Tournament, which came to an energetic conclusion amidst enthusiastic cheers and applause.