Sands China, NBA community programme draws over 2,900 participants

Macau casino operator Sands China Ltd says more than 2,900 people took part in a five-day community programme organised with NBA Cares, featuring basketball training, school visits and activities supporting social inclusion. The “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” ran from October 7 to 11, alongside the NBA China Games 2026, according to a recent press release. Participants included students from Macau, and from other parts of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, as well as Hainan province. Also involved were members of local social-service organisations, NBA players and former stars, and company volunteers. Activities included training and friendly matches for 200 young people, a basketball clinic involving Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets players, and a visit to Macau’s Yuet Wah College. The programme also saw former NBA players Stephon Marbury and Cuttino Mobley join company executives to prepare and distribute 200 boxed lunches to people in need. The activity was organised with Happy Kitchen, a social enterprise under the Fuhong Society of Macau, as part of an initiative set to provide 1,500 meals. Patrick Dumont, chairman and chief executive of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp and chairman of Sands China, said: “The programme demonstrated the power of sport to connect people, foster inclusion and inspire the next generation.” A closing basketball carnival at The Venetian Macao brought together athletes from Macau Special Olympics, local community groups, former NBA player Chris Bosh and Sands global ambassador David Beckham. Around 200 Sands Cares Ambassadors supported activities during the week, the company said. Mr Dumont stated: “With the successful conclusion of The NBA China Games 2026, we are delighted to have extended the positive impact of this world-class sporting event into the Macau community, creating valuable opportunities for people of various ages and backgrounds to connect and engage.”