To mark
the games taking place in the Philippines and Asia as part of the 2013 NBA
Global Games, Sprite partnered once again with NBA Cares, the global social responsibility
program of NBA, to foster acceptance and inclusion for differently abled
athletes through an exciting basketball clinic.
The NBA
Cares Special Olympics Basketball Clinic Presented by Sprite took place on
October 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena where 60 young Special Olympics athletes
had a once-in-a-lifetime experience to improve their basketball skills with the
assistance of employee volunteers from Sprite as well as the entire Indiana
Pacers team. NBA Legends Ron Harper and
Jalen Rose were also present to lend a helping hand.
The
Coca-Cola Company, the company that produces Sprite, has been a founding
partner of Special Olympics International since 1968 when it was initiated by
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of US President John F. Kennedy and Senators
Robert F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy. Special Olympics International is now the
largest program of sports training and competition in the world of differently
abled children and adults and is represented in many countries, including the
Philippines.
The
Coca-Cola Company, through its Sprite brand, Special Olympics and NBA share a
commitment to sharing happiness by celebrating humanity and promoting
acceptance.
“We
continue to share our message of inclusion and acceptance with special athletes
as part of our global promise to the Special Olympics,” shares Atty. Adel
Tamano, Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications of Coca-Cola
Philippines. “This clinic is one of the initiatives through which we encourage
not only our basketball participants but all Filipinos in general to engage in
sports and other activities that lead to active healthy lifestyles.”
The
clinic was concluded with a special message from Christian Doroin, National
Sports Director of Special Olympics Philippines, followed by sharing of Sprite
souvenirs with all the participating Special Olympics athletes as well as with
other young spectators in the audience brought in by the SM Foundation. The one
hour basketball clinic was hosted by Patricia Hizon.
The NBA
Cares Special Olympics Basketball Clinic presented by Sprite was a part of the
2013 NBA Global Games in the Philippines.
The game was part of the NBA’s comprehensive international games
schedule that includes a total of 10 games (eight preseason and two regular-season
games) featuring 12 teams playing in 10 cities in 7 countries.
The
NBA’s global partnership with Special Olympics began in 1979 when the league
helped to introduce basketball as a new sport to the organization. The NBA, its
teams and players have since provided sponsorship to Special Olympics
basketball tournaments, created public service announcements featuring NBA
players, and participated in major Special Olympics events.
The
Coca-Cola Company and the NBA have had a 25 year marketing partnership that
dates back to 1986. In addition to working together on the Special Olympics,
Coca-Cola and the NBA throughout their partnership have supported social
responsibility initiatives. These include EKOCYCLE, a brand developed to
produce apparel and lifestyle products from recyclable materials, and NBA FIT
clinics that are held around the world to educate children about the benefits
of physical activity and the game of basketball.
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