Basketball without Borders Returns to Hold Clinic for Special Olympics Athletes

Beijing, China (August 05, 2009) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Basketball without Borders, the NBA and FIBA's global basketball development and community outreach program, returns to China for the fourth time during July 31st to August 2nd in Beijing. As part of the league's commitment to social responsibility, a special basketball clinic is organized for 60 local Special Olympics athletes at the National Olympic Sports Center on July 31st.

NBA players Dikembe Mutombo, Jason Terry and attended the clinics and shared their skills and passion for basketball with Special Olympics athletes. Representatives from the sponsor of this clinic, DHL and Ms. Anna Chan, Managing Director of Special Olympics East Asia, are also presented.

During the clinic, the Special Olympics athletes are divided into three groups, and practiced basketball skills led by the NBA players. A brief unified basketball match is also held at the end of clinic, with NBA players teaming up with Special Olympics athletes.

Basketball without Borders, in partnership with the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), and marketing partners NIKE, American Airlines and DHL, focuses on developing the top basketball talent in Asia while utilizing the sport to create positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness.

"The NBA is grateful for the support of our partners to bring Basketball without Borders Asia back to China for a fourth year, said CEO of NBA China Tim Chen. "The camp is one of the cornerstones of the NBA's global outreach efforts where athletes will challenge themselves not only in basketball but also in learning important life skills and achieving a broader understanding of social issues."

"NBA has been supporting Special Olympics throughout the world. We have worked with NBA to bring out clinics for our Special Olympics athletes in Beijing and Shanghai for the past four years, giving them precious chances to be coached by the star NBA players and coaches", said Ms. Anna Chan. "We would like to thank NBA and all the sponsors like DHL for their generous support. I am confident that we will see steady development of Special Olympics in China in the future."

About Special Olympics East Asia
Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to 3 million adults and children with intellectual disabilities across 180 plus countries. The Special Olympics movement offers one of the world's greatest platforms for acceptance and inclusion for all people – regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences. As one of the seven regions of Special Olympics, Special Olympics East Asia (SOEA) works very closely with its five Programs including China, Korea, Hong Kong, Macao and Chinese Taipei to promote Sports and Non-Sports initiatives throughout the Region. Find out how you can become involved at www.specialolympics.org or www.specialolympicseastasia.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Annie Yang
  Senior Public Relations Manager
  Special Olympics East Asia
  Tel: 86-10- 59004566 ext 818