Sri Lanka Paralympians bolstered by MAS Holdings
MAS Holdings unveiled its commitment to National Paralympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NPC), coming forward as the official clothing partner of the Sri Lanka Paralympic team bound to Paris. As part of partnership, MAS will provide the ceremonial kit for all Sri Lankan para-athletes, along with the track, swim, and wheelchair tennis kits for the athletes competing in the Paralympic Games 2024.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by differently abled individuals, MAS initially ventured into the adaptive apparel space in 2019 conducting research and development of innovative products that enable independent dressing. MAS first partnered the NPC in 2021, providing the athletes with lifestyle clothing and performance wear for training, selection trials and competitions locally and globally.
“We are thrilled to support Sri Lankan para-athletes at the global stage, as we have done over the years. Their performances have brought pride to Sri Lanka, and we hope through this continued commitment, we enable them to perform at their best in the upcoming games,” said Suren Fernando, CEO of MAS Holdings.
“The collaboration with MAS Holdings means a great deal for us, as it ensures our athletes have the highest quality attire for their competitions, on par with global competitors. This partnership goes a long way in empowering our athletes,” Lt. Col. Deepal Herath, President of NPC and Chef-de-Mission of Sri Lanka’s Paris 2024 Paralympics contingent, added.
The clothing incorporates special functional features for comfort and better performance. The ceremonial kit includes a hooded jacket that enables targeted ventilation and breathability, along with an adjustable drawcord and magnetic zipper. The versatile track bottoms can convert to shorts, and the polo shirt includes a zipper with an extended puller loop for convenience. Customised swimwear is made to fit unique athlete proportions, and the wheelchair tennis shorts are designed with high-stretch fabric, sensory-friendly waistbands, and easy-to-use fasteners for ease of performance.
The design of the 2024 Paralympics track kit is inspired by Sri Lanka’s rich wildlife. Along with Sri Lanka’s emblematic lion, the print designs reflect a combination of patterns extracted from Sri Lanka’s endemic animals such as the Sri Lankan leopard, Sri Lankan jungle fowl and lionfish. The paralympic t-shirt features a bold lion print and the national flag.
MAS Holdings employs over 450 differently abled persons, highlighting the company’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities in the workplace. The partnership between MAS Holdings and the National Paralympic Committee of Sri Lanka through MAS’ dedicated accessible clothing brand, exemplifies this continued commitment to the wider community.
Symbolic handover of the game day Track kit by CEO of MAS Active, Muditha Ferdinando to Deputy Head of French Embassy and Acting Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Marie-Noëlle Duris