Citi Philippines today announced that Paralympic Power Lifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta and Para Athletics Wheelchair Racer Jerrold Mangliwan are part of “Team Citi” – a diverse group of 41 Paralympic athletes from around the world, competing in 13 sports.

Dumapong-Ancheta and Mangliwan partner with Citi as ambassadors to support the company’s global efforts to foster a more diverse, inclusive society and help change perceptions of persons with disabilities.

“This is a truly inspiring moment. When I started in this sport I didn’t dream of these opportunities. I am honored to be part of an elite global group of Para athletes promoting the vision of a society that is inclusive of all. Together, I am hopeful that we can grow the reach of Para sports and change mindsets about what disability means,” said Dumapong-Ancheta.

Dumapong-Ancheta made her Paralympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Games where she won a Bronze, becoming the first Filipino to win a Paralympic medal. She has since won multiple medals including seven Gold medals at the ASEAN Para Games and two Silver medals at the Asian Para Games. Mangliwan won a Bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games and two Gold medals at the 2015 ASEAN Para Games.

Citi unveiled a marketing campaign to support Dumapong-Ancheta and Mangliwan, who will both be competing in the upcoming 10th ASEAN Para Games, which will be held at New Clark City from January 15 to 25, 2020. The athletes’ images with the message “Greatness deserves attention” will be shown on Citi’s digital billboards and social media channels in the weeks leading up to the ASEAN Para Games.

Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed said, “Adeline and Jerrold are the embodiment of strength and courage in the face of adversity and are great ambassadors for Paralympic sport. We are deeply honored to have them as part of Team Citi. Together, we will increase awareness of Para sports and the need for greater inclusion of people with disabilities in our society.”

“We need to be able to work towards a shared vision and get more people from all sectors of society to engage and involve themselves in the cause of Paralympic sports. The hard work and sacrifice of our Para athletes make them true heroes whose stories must be told,” added Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo.

In December 2018, Citi announced its partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and 18 National Paralympic Committees. Since then, more than 12,000 Citi colleagues across 15 countries have attended events in support of Citi’s first global, mission-led partnership and spent time volunteering, with further events planned between now and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. In the Philippines, Citi co-hosted the first ‘Lakad Para Atleta’ event with the Philippine Paralympic Committee in June 2019. Over 800 Citi employees walked with Para athletes and supporters to raise awareness for the Paralympic movement and champion the values of diversity and inclusion.