Sun Life Donates IDR 10 Billion To Support Healthy Lifestyle Via Basketball Sports

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - insurance company PT Sun Life donated IDR 10 billion for basketball court facilities to support a healthy lifestyle for underprivileged children in Asia.

The basketball court can be used by youth and sports communities in Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The philanthropic program run with Beyond Sport, a global sporting foundation focused on social change, is a response to the 2022 Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance report supported by Sun Life.

The 2022 Active Health Kids Global Alliance report highlights the lack of physical activity and the large number of equivalent behavior among children and adolescents in Asia.

This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, mental health disorders, and various other harmful health conditions.

According to the report, in terms of physical activity, Hong Kong and Malaysia got a D, while Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam got an F score.

This result indicates that less than 20 percent of children aged 6-17 years reach an average moderate to intense physical activity for a minimum of 60 minutes per day.

Vice President, Branding Communications & Client Experience Sun Life Indonesiambahas Simanungkalit mengatakan, pihaknya berkomitmen membantu juta keluarga untuk meraih kemerapan finansial dan menjalani hidup yang lebih sehat.

Kai added that the lack of physical activity and behavior that tends to be static among the younger Asian generation has reached an alarming level, and is at risk of increasing various serious health conditions.

"Therefore, there needs to be efforts to increase awareness and provide quality facilities and education about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, especially for underprivileged communities," he said in a written statement, quoted on Saturday, September 2.

"We are proud to be collaborating with Beyond Sport and other local strategic partners to present innovative solutions and create wider social impacts in Asia," he added.

Meanwhile, Beyond Sport Executive Director Fred Turner emphasized how young people in various parts of the world often face obstacles in accessing sports and their benefits.

"These positions are sometimes only a matter of the availability of a safe space for exercise and play," he said.

Fred said that his party was honored to partner with Sun Life to improve the physical and mental well-being of disadvantaged children.

"We hope that a program designed by considering sustainability and community engagement can motivate the younger generation in Asia to form positive habits that will support their development throughout life," he said.

This initiative is part of the #MovementMatters Sun Life campaign focused on promoting physical activity as a key element in realizing a healthier lifestyle.

This campaign begins with the 3x3 Charity Event which is held simultaneously in Jakarta, Indonesia and Manila, the Philippines, on August 18-20.

The "Celebrity & Basketball Weekend" event in Jakarta took place at Gandaria City Mall with the presence of 650 participants.

The event was enlivened by various celebrity and basketball influencers, such as Dion Wiyoko, Tarra Budiman, Andovi, Jovial Da Lopez, Augie Fantinus, Rayi Putra, Samuel Rizal, Danang Suryonegoro, Maria Selena, Choky Sitohang, and Bams.

Through this event, Sun Life donated IDR 1,000,000 for each participant, both in Jakarta, Manila and the Philippines. Each like, share, comment, and upload on social media that uses the hashtag #MovementMatters also adds the amount of donations, which in total reaches IDR 10 billion.

The event also coincided with the participation of the Canadian Team and its leading players in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup which was held in Jakarta. Sun Life itself is an Official Insurance Partner from Canada Basketball.