NBA legend Ray Allen and Ding Yanyuhang engage with the community on opening day
Bringing together youth from and the Greater Bay Area to foster exchange and inclusion
MACAO, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With The NBA China Games 2026 set to take place in Macao, Sands China has once again partnered with NBA Cares to present the five-day "NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026" from Oct. 7 to 11. Bringing together NBA legends and current players to engage with the community through a series of inclusive sports activities and interactive experiences, the initiative extends the impact of the world-class basketball event into the Macao community, while promoting social inclusion, inspiring positive youth development, and demonstrating care for the local community through meaningful action.
The “NBA Cares × Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” took place over five days, from October 7 to 11. The inaugural event, “Youth Day,” kicked off on October 7 at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, attracting 300 participants.
NBA legend Ray Allen led a professional training session and interacted with the participants.
Chinese national women's basketball team member Zhang Ziyu led a professional training session and interacted with the participants.
Chinese basketball star Ding Yanyuhang led a professional training session and interacted with the participants.
A group of young people participated in a professional fitness assessment and basketball clinic led by NBA coaches, receiving professional instruction such as footwork, ball handling, and offensive and defensive techniques.
A group of young people participated in a professional fitness assessment and basketball clinic led by NBA coaches, receiving professional instruction such as footwork, ball handling, and offensive and defensive techniques.
A group of young people participated in a professional fitness assessment and basketball clinic led by NBA coaches, receiving professional instruction such as footwork, ball handling, and offensive and defensive techniques.
Throughout the event, young people from the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao competed side by side, honing their skills and forging friendships amidst the cheers and applause—fully demonstrating the power of sports to transcend geographical boundaries and unite the youth.
Throughout the event, young people from the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao competed side by side, honing their skills and forging friendships amidst the cheers and applause—fully demonstrating the power of sports to transcend geographical boundaries and unite the youth.
A “Her Time to Play” panel discussion was held concurrently on the day of the event, featuring distinguished guests—Dawn Smyth, NBA’s associate vice president and head of international basketball relations, Gina Miller, Dallas Mavericks’ chief communications officer, Gretchen Sheirr, Houston Rockets’ president, and DeVonne Iao, Sands China’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer of resort marketing. They shared stories of personal growth and career journeys, aiming to encourage young people to build self-confidence and boldly pursue their goals.
Youth Day, which marked the first event of the Impact Week, took place today (Oct. 7) at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. This year, the initiative expanded its reach to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), bringing together 150 young basketball players aged 11 to 14 from eight Macao schools, namely Yuet Wah College, Instituto Salesiano, Lou Hau High School, Keang Peng School, Pui Ching Middle School, Sacred Heart Canossian College (English Section), Pui Va Middle School, and Escola da Sagrada Familia, as well as 50 young players from Hong Kong and mainland GBA cities.
The participating GBA youth took part in professional training sessions led by NBA legend Ray Allen –– a two-time NBA champion, 10-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA Team, member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, and 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee –– together with NBA coaches, renowned Chinese basketball player Ding Yanyuhang, and China women's basketball national team player Zhang Ziyu.
The event aimed to give young people from across the GBA the opportunity to engage closely with world-class basketball talent and enhance their basketball skills, while fostering interaction and exchange among youth from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Through building friendships and sharing experiences, Youth Day encouraged participants to develop self-confidence and teamwork, while further strengthening connections among young people across the GBA. Together with Sands China executives and Sands Cares Ambassadors, the event attracted a total of 300 participants.
Friendly matches brought together young players from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, who first underwent professional fitness assessments and took part in a basketball clinic led by NBA coaches, receiving training in footwork, ball-handling, and offensive and defensive techniques. They were then selected to form mixed teams comprising players from across the three regions to compete in separate boys' and girls' matches. NBA legend Ray Allen and NBA coaches served as mentors throughout, offering hands-on guidance and sharing valuable on-court experience. The young athletes honed their basketball skills and forged friendships in a spirited and enthusiastic environment, demonstrating the power of sport to transcend geographical boundaries and bring young people together.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: "Our heartfelt thanks go to the Macao SAR government and all sectors of the community for their tremendous support, which has enabled us to leverage The NBA China Games, a world-class sporting event, for a second consecutive year to bring positivity and care into the community. We not only present this top-notch basketball competition to residents and visitors, but also draw on this platform to connect with the local community and create valuable opportunities for people from various sectors of society to engage and learn from NBA legends, fully embodying the commitment of Sands Cares and NBA Cares to giving back to the community. This year, we expanded participation in Youth Day to the Greater Bay Area, giving more young people the opportunity to receive firsthand guidance and inspiration from world-class players, while strengthening connections among youth across the region. We also organised the Her Time To Play seminar, inviting accomplished women to share their personal growth stories with young people, encouraging the youth to build confidence and pursue their dreams. Looking ahead, Sands China will continue to fully support the Macao SAR government's direction of promoting economic diversification, while deepening the synergy of sports and tourism, further enhancing Macao's status as a City of Sports, and injecting sustained vitality into its position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure."
The event also featured an individual skills challenge for young players, testing their speed, basketball skills and concentration through a series of challenges, including cone dribbling, precision passing and sprint layups. Following the spirited competition, an awards ceremony was held to recognise the outstanding young players for their exceptional performances.
A Her Time To Play seminar was also held, with NBA's associate vice president and head of international basketball relations Dawn Smyth; Dallas Mavericks' chief communications officer Gina Miller; Houston Rockets' president Gretchen Sheirr; and Sands China's senior vice president and chief marketing officer of resort marketing DeVonne Iao joining as guest speakers to share their experiences of personal and career development. From striving for excellence in sport to navigating career choices, they shared insights with the young participants and encouraged them to build confidence and pursue their goals with courage.
The "NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026" is taking place over five consecutive days, Oct. 7-11, featuring a diverse programme of activities focused on youth development, healthy living and community inclusion. Current NBA players and legends will engage with communities across Macao, with the initiative seeking to extend the impact of the NBA sporting event into the community and enable more Macao residents to experience the positive energy and excitement generated by the world-class basketball event.
Tomorrow (Oct. 8), a Tip-off event for the Impact Week will take place at The Venetian Arena. Players from the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets will make a special appearance, leading Macao secondary school students in a basketball clinic and bringing the excitement and positive spirit of The NBA China Games further into the Macao community.
"NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026" is part of Sands Cares, the global corporate citizenship programme of Sands China's parent company. As an important stakeholder in the Macao community, Sands China has actively fulfilled its corporate social responsibility for more than two decades. Through the programme, the company strives to connect with and serve the community, give back to society, and work alongside different sectors to build a more vibrant and inclusive Macao community.
Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company's integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao, The Parisian® Macao and The Londoner® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company's portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, The Londoner Theatre and Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company's Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao's transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).
A firm believer in the importance of corporate social responsibility, Sands China Ltd. engages with the local Macao community as a part of Sands Cares – the charitable giving programme of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sands Cares integrates the company's philanthropic work worldwide in four key areas: financial giving, community problem solving and collaboration, in-kind donations, and team member volunteerism.
Key areas of Sands Cares in Macao include the Sands Cares Ambassador programme for volunteering in the local community; charitable contributions to NGOs and community organisations; and sponsorship of community events.
NBA Social Impact & Inclusion drives change on issues facing fans and communities by advancing needed resources and proven partners. We create data-driven strategies and programming to empower colleagues to bring their best self. NBA Cares works with NBA players and teams to highlight important issues through the NBA's digital, social and broadcast channels, live events and partnerships.
Media contacts: Corporate Communications, Sands China Ltd. Mabel Wu Tel: +853 8118 2268 Email: [email protected]
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