MAS Holdings was announced as the Official Clothing Partner of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) during the official unveiling and handover event on Wednesday (14).
As part of this 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 persons with disabilities, MAS first ventured into the adaptive apparel space in 2019, conducting research and development of innovative products that enable independent dressing.
MAS first partnered with the NPC in 2021, providing athletes with lifestyle clothing and performance wear for training, selection trials, and competitions both locally and globally.
“We are thrilled to support Sri Lankan para-athletes at the global stage, as we have done over the years. Their performance has brought pride to Sri Lanka and through this continued commitment, we hope to enable them to perform at their best in the upcoming games,” said MAS Holdings CEO Suren Fernando.
NPC President and Chef de Mission of Sri Lanka’s Paris 2024 Paralympics contingent Lt. Col. Deepal Herath added: “This collaboration with MAS Holdings means a great deal to 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.”
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 the country’s endemic animals such as the Sri Lankan leopard, Sri Lankan junglefowl, and lionfish. The Paralympics t-shirt features a bold lion print and the National Flag.
MAS Holdings employs over 450 persons with disabilities, highlighting the company’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities in the workplace. The partnership between MAS Holdings and the NPC through MAS’ dedicated accessible clothing brand exemplifies this continued commitment to the wider community.