The China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF) and Adidas Group China jointly launched a public welfare project titled "Achieving Dream of the Future with Infinite Possibilities" in Zibo, a city of East China's Shandong Province, on April 12.

The launch ceremony was attended by Li Zhongming, secretary-general of the CCTF, Sun Fenghua, president of Shandong Women's Federation (SWF), Li Li, vice-president of the SWF, Guan Ping, second-class inspector of Shandong Administration of Sports, Bi Hongwei, deputy mayor of Zibo, Wang Ruohai, vice-president of the Department for Governmental Relations in Adidas Group's Greater China, and representatives of local women's sports teams, children and media outlets.

Cheng Wen, president of Zibo Women's Federation, presided over the inaugural ceremony.

At the ceremony, the CCTF and Adidas made donations to the women's football, basketball, volleyball and athletics teams, offered financial aids to disadvantaged girls, and unveiled the project.

Li conveyed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the CCTF to Adidas for its long-term support and caring toward the healthy growth of children. He said that the launch of the project is aimed at fulfilling the mission of fostering talent for the Party and the country, and carrying forward with the fundamental task of nurturing virtue through education.

According to Li, the project is scheduled to provide 10 women's sports teams from Shandong, Hebei, Yunnan, Guizhou, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia and Ningxia with financial aids, distribute scholarships among 1,170 disadvantaged middle and primary school students as well as 200 schooling girls in vocational education, organize beneficiaries to partake in exchange and social activities, and help children receive high-quality education and turn their dream into reality.

Sun said that the launch and implementation of the project is of importance to promote the spirit of the sports, carry forward the culture of the sports, and ensure the healthy and all-round development of children. She asked teenagers to bear in mind great expectations of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, study hard, firm up their will and mind, develop strong bodies, and strive to be useful persons for hometown, the country and society.

Sun also called on people from all social sectors to show their support and love for children and lend a helping hand to more children in the realization of their dream and the building of a bright future.

Wang said that children are the future of the world, Adidas will remain true to its original aspiration of changing human life through sports, persist in the love of sports, make full use of its international resources and professional strength, and work together with the CCTF to promote the development of sports among children and teenagers, enrich their life with diverse sports activities, and help children embrace a fulfilling life.

After the opening ceremony, a women's basketball team of Xuegong Middle School in Linzi district of Zibo held a friendly match with attending guests and players of Shandong provincial sports teams. Participants said that the love and assistance from the society have provided them with additional courage to follow their dream of sports, promote the spirit of the sports, and make contributions to further enhancing the country's sports strength.

During a visit to the families of two girl beneficiaries of the project, Li and Wang encouraged them to overcome difficulties, study hard, have lofty ideals and strong physical body, and become contributing members of society.

Since its donation of 10 million yuan (US $1.38 million) to the CCTF for the implementation of the public welfare project, Adidas has contributed 1 million yuan (US $138,130) to assist earthquake-affected children in Gansu and Qinghai provinces so as to help them continue with education and have confidence as well as strength in overcoming challenges on the life journey ahead.

(Source: CCTF/Women of China)