MAS Holdings was announced as the Official Clothing Partner of the National Paralympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NPC) during the official unveiling and handover event on 14th August 2024. 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.
Recognizing 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 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 performance has 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.
Lt. Col. Deepal Herath, President of the NPC and Chef-de-Mission of Sri Lanka’s Paris 2024 Paralympics contingent, added, “This 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.”
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. Customized 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 persons with disabilities, 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 Lable, exemplifies this continued commitment to the wider community.
