TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Basketball Association’s Washington Wizards will host the Orlando Magic for Taiwanese Heritage Night on Friday in Washington, DC.
The event offers Taiwan supporters ticket discounts and special merchandise, including bucket hats and jerseys. It is also the first Taiwanese-themed NBA game, UDN reported.
The event is sponsored by the Millennial Global Youth Foundation (MGY), which previously hosted a Taiwan Day with Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals in June. The foundation said the six-month effort to organize the upcoming event aims to promote Taiwanese identity in mainstream American society through sports and cultural exchange.
The Wizards have designed a limited-edition double-sided bucket hat for ticket buyers. One side is red with the Wizards logo and Chinese characters representing the team name, while the other is white with a Taiwan flag pattern.
MGY also produced 300 special jerseys for ticket holders. The dark blue jerseys feature the Chinese and English words for "Taiwan" and the number "52," symbolizing "I love Taiwan."
On game day, a Formosan black bear mascot and a Taiwan cheering squad will be outside Capital One Arena. MGY hopes the event will pave the way for more collaborations next year, including sporting and cultural performances with a Taiwanese touch.
The foundation is also planning an event with the Washington Nationals on Aug. 30. Composed of Taiwanese residents in Washington, DC, MGY is dedicated to promoting multiculturalism and building partnerships with other groups to expand Taiwan’s visibility.
