AUCKLAND, Tuesday 26 June, 2018: The Halberg Foundation has today announced an exciting new partnership with the International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS Handa), during an event at Spark Arena – home of the Halberg Awards.
ISPS Handa is a global organisation, founded by Japanese philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa to support charitable causes throughout the sporting world.
From this year, ISPS Handa will provide scholarships for promising young physically disabled athletes.
ISPS Handa will also play an important role in the Halberg Foundation’s annual flagship fundraising event the Halberg Awards. The new partnership unveiled with ISPS Handa will see
- ISPS Handa become the exclusive title partner of the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards, which honour and celebrate New Zealand’s sporting excellence.
- ISPS Handa sponsor the ISPS Handa Sportsman of the Year Award.
- ISPS Handa co-sponsor the Disabled Sportsperson category with the Halberg Foundation.
The ISPS Handa Halberg Awards will remain New Zealand’s pre-eminent event to honour and celebrate sporting achievements of athletes, teams and coaches. Previous winners include ISPS Handa Ambassador, Lydia Ko, who won the supreme Halberg Award in 2013.
Halberg Foundation Chief Executive, Shelley McMeeken says the organisation is thrilled to receive support and recognition from ISPS Handa.
“With ISPS Handa’s generous support, we can continue our current programmes, and look at extending our reach into communities and schools to ensure physically disabled young Kiwis can experience all the benefits of sport and recreation,” she says.
Financial details of the partnership remain confidential, but Shelley McMeeken says the support of ISPS Handa will make a positive impact on the Foundation’s long-term plans and programmes.
“We are proud to attract the support of such a respected organisation.And we are determined to continue doing everything we can to support physically disabled young people to participate in their choice of sport or recreation opportunities.”
ISPS Executive Director of International Affairs, Midori Miyazaki, says the new partnership brings together two organisations with a shared determination to enhance lives through sport, regardless of ability.
“ISPS Handa looks forward to supporting the Halberg Foundation in creating a more inclusive society through sports participation, and honouring some of New Zealand’s top athletes, teams and coaches.”
In his role as ISPS Handa patron, Sir John Key played an important role in bringing the two organisations together.
Sir John says “Dr Handa has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for blind and disabled people for three decades. The efforts are clearly showing some traction.”
“Our partnership with The Halberg Foundation following a raft of other initiatives supporting those with disabilities, will hopefully inspire more to join the effort in using sport as an incredible tool that can transform lives for the better – bringing people and communities together.”
The ISPS Handa Halberg Awards will take place at Auckland’s Spark Arena in early 2019.
