ANTA Group Expands Education and Sport Support for Over 300,000 Displaced Children Across Africa
ANTA Group Expands Education and Sport Support for Over 300,000 Displaced Children Across Africa
A young refugee receives sportswear and equipment as part of ANTA Group's support to the community in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.
GENEVA — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes a renewed commitment from ANTA Group following the strong impact of the first three years of the “Moving for Change” partnership, which has supported more than 300,000 displaced children and youth across Africa through education and sport.
Christina Li, Vice President of ANTA Group, addressed the Forum and said from 2023 – 2025 ANTA Group provided US$1.5 million in financial support and 1.2 million pieces of sporting apparel and equipment to displaced youth and children in Burundi, Kenya and Ethiopia. These contributions support UNHCR’s Sports for Protection programming and Primary Impact education initiative, which keeps refugee classrooms open during crisis by funding teachers and providing learning materials so children can start, stay and succeed in school.
ANTA Group’s contributions have supported UNHCR’s Sports for Protection programming and the Primary Impact education initiative, helping keep refugee classrooms open during crises by funding teachers, providing learning materials and enabling children to start, stay and succeed in school.
Speaking at the Forum, Christina Li, Vice President of ANTA Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to global corporate social responsibility and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Quality Education, Good Health and Well-being, Reduced Inequalities and No Poverty. She highlighted sport as a powerful tool for inclusion and resilience, capable of bringing hope and unity to children living through displacement.
In September, Li joined UNHCR colleagues, including Primary Impact Lead Arash Bordbar, on a field visit to refugee camps in Ethiopia to see the impact of the partnership firsthand. Visits to schools and youth programmes demonstrated how combined investments in education and sport are creating meaningful, lasting change for refugee children — both in the classroom and on the playing field.
Christina Li, Vice President of ANTA Group, plays football with displaced communities in Ethiopia.
At Bambasi refugee camp in Ethiopia, home to around 16,000 refugees, Li participated in a friendly football match supported through the partnership, underscoring sport’s role as a universal language that fosters connection, confidence and well-being even in the most challenging circumstances.
The partnership also reflects the complexity and commitment involved in delivering large-scale in-kind support. Recent shipments to Kenya required detailed item sorting, international logistics coordination and last-mile delivery to refugee sites. Through close collaboration with UNHCR, the Chinese Red Cross Foundation and other partners, these challenges were successfully addressed to ensure assistance reached children and families who need it most.
“ANTA Group’s engagement shows how private-sector partnerships can expand opportunities for people forced to flee,” said Arash Bordbar. “By investing in education and sports programmes with clear purpose and impact, partners like ANTA Group help create sustainable solutions that support refugee children’s development and futures.”
UNHCR looks forward to continuing its collaboration with ANTA Group, building on the results of the first three years to further strengthen protection, education and well-being outcomes for displaced children worldwide.
About ANTA Group
ANTA Group is a Chinese sports equipment corporation. It is the third-largest sporting goods company by revenue globally. Founded in 1991, its operations involve the business of designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing sports products. By embracing an all-round brand portfolio including ANTA, FILA, DESCENTE, and KOLON SPORT, and by setting up an investor consortium to successfully acquire Amer Sports in 2019, ANTA Group aims to unlock the potential of both the mass and high-end sportswear markets.
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. The organization delivers life-saving assistance including shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted nationality.
For more information, please contact:
- Jemma Galvin, Private Sector Communication Officer, UNHCR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, [email protected]
