Hong Kong – Sun Life and the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China (BAHKC) have signed a three-year, HK$10 million partnership to support athletes, promote basketball, and enhance community engagement.
As part of the initiative, Sun Life will provide medical and accident insurance for Hong Kong basketball team members and fund a scholarship program for U18 and U22 players pursuing higher education. Additionally, a youth internship program will be introduced to help players prepare for post-retirement career opportunities.
The partnership also includes title sponsorship of the Hong Kong Open Division Men’s and Women’s Basketball League, a self-financing competition with a promotion and relegation system designed to enhance the competitiveness of local basketball.
Beyond competitive play, the initiative further aims to expand grassroots participation through community engagement. Sun Life will continue its partnership with Beyond Sport to run free youth basketball workshops and social impact programs, including revitalising basketball courts and providing training opportunities. The company will also sponsor the National Day Cup Basketball Tournament, encouraging university-level competition and regional exchanges to further develop the sport in Hong Kong.
Benny Chow, team leader of the Youth Team of the Basketball Team of Hong Kong, China, said, “We will work with Sun Life to deepen the promotion of community basketball and connect it with more professional and comprehensive systematic training. We aim to bring new energy into the local basketball, discover and nurture new talent, and attract more young people to join basketball and even develop basketball careers.”
Siu-wong Chan, executive vice president and honorary president of the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China, added, “Sun Life has been promoting healthy living in different ways and is committed to bringing the community together through sports. Our shared vision for basketball development aligns perfectly. This collaboration will bring new energy to local basketball by not only providing substantial resources to support its growth but also by having Sun Life’s team actively participate in the league. This encourages the public to embrace an active and positive lifestyle.”
Sun Life’s partnership with BAHKC aims to build a sustainable basketball ecosystem in Hong Kong while promoting active lifestyles. The collaboration supports both professional and grassroots development, reinforcing basketball’s role in community engagement.
Sun Life recognises basketball’s role in promoting physical and mental well-being while fostering community engagement. Since 2014, it has supported the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, becoming the team’s first jersey patch sponsor in 2017. In 2023, Sun Life expanded its commitment with a multi-year sponsorship of Canada Basketball, serving as the official jersey sponsor and health and wellness partner for the national teams.
Clement Lam, chief executive officer of Sun Life Hong Kong Limited, stated, “Sun Life’s mission is to help clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our global headquarter in Canada has been supporting basketball development since 2014 and has actively expanded to many regions in Asia in recent years. This partnership with the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China, will focus on both commercialization and professionalization, leveraging innovation and diverse collaboration to enhance the local basketball ecosystem, fulfilling our corporate mission.”
Mark Tian, chief agency strategy and growth officer of Sun Life Hong Kong Limited, commented, “Sun Life values the holistic development of our financial advisors and encourages the team to contribute to the community by actively participating in sports and community activities. Therefore, we have formed a basketball team and will sign up to participate in the Hong Kong Open Division Men’s and Women’s Basketball League sponsored by Sun Life to promote healthy living through action.”
He added, “We hope that through this cooperation, we can showcase Sun Life’s long tradition, dynamic business development, and sustainable future and further embody Sun Life’s team spirit of One Team, One Goal, Win As One.”
