Organized by Special Olympics East Asia (SOEA), 20 volunteers from UBS Securities Beijing office held a special unified bowling activity with Special Olympics athletes from Beijing Chaoyang An’hua School and Beijing Shunyi Special School in St. Regis Hotel, Beijing on Sept 22, 2009.

Group photo

Before the bowling competition, UBS Securities and the volunteers made donations for the two schools to purchase sports equipment to better promote Special Olympics in the schools. Mr. Kok-Kee Chong, Deputy GM, CFO & COO, UBS Securities, Mr. Scott Choi, Head of Finance, UBS Securities, and Mr. Derek So, Deputy Head of Finance, UBS Securities attended the ceremony. Also presented were Ms. Anna Chan, Managing Director of SOEA and Mr. Cary Michael Gray, General Manager of St. Regis Hotel, Beijing, which provided the bowling facilities for this event on pro-bono basis.

Athlete representative speaks at the donation ceremony

UBS Securities Representatives and SO Athletes

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Scott Choi said, “UBS Asia Pacific Region has always been emphasizing on staff participation into public services and volunteering activities. This bowling event has gained strong support from the management of UBS Asia Pacific and UBS China, as well as warm responses from the employees. We would maintain close cooperation with Special Olympics in the future by supporting various programs including SO Adopt-A-School Program and SO University Program.”

Mr. Cary Michael Gray said, “St. Regis Hotel, Beijing has partnered up with Special Olympics ever since 2002 by providing free sports facilities for Special Olympics activities. We are glad to host friends from both Special Olympics and UBS in our hotel and we wish everyone have an enjoyable time today! We will continue to support Special Olympics in the future and welcome everyone to come back for more Special Olympics activities.”

Ms. Anna Chan expressed appreciation to UBS Securities and St. Regis Hotel, Beijing on behalf of SOEA. She said, “I would like to thank all volunteers on behalf of SOEA and its over 800,000 athletes for your long-term support to Special Olympics movement and our athletes. Thanks to UBS Securities for your strong support to Special Olympics and thanks to St. Regis Beijing Hotel for providing venue for the activity. Without generous support from sponsors and volunteers, Special Olympics could not have made such great development.” She also wished everyone to try bravely and enjoy the fun of sports.

After the donation ceremony, volunteers and SO athletes were divided into 8 groups to have a unified team bowling competition. The bowling alley was soon filled with applause and laughter. Although some SO athletes were not familiar with bowling, with hand-in-hand coaching by the volunteers in the same team, they acquired basic skills in a short time. Some make good strikes soon, winning loud applause from both its teams and other teams.

Teammates Getting to Know Each Other

Close Interaction

Let Me Try!

Let Me Win!

After the competition, volunteers and SO athletes exchanged gifts. Many of them also exchanged hugs and good wishes, as they already feel like a team after the short time. Although the event was only two hours, many said it would be a most unforgettable afternoon for them.

Exchange Gifts