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Trip of a lifetime for Manulife athletes, customers and staff Insurer wishes lucky Olympics travellers “bon voyage” Hong Kong — As the official Worldwide Life Insurance Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Manulife (International) Limited gave a warm send-off to the Team Manulife athletes, its privileged customers, staff and top financial advisors prior to them travelling to the Chinese capital next month. The valedictory get-together was held to wish them a safe journey and an unforgettable adventure in Beijing. A total of 10 Team Manulife athletes* representing different sports will be competing with the best in the world in Beijing. Manulife helped ensure their place in the Olympic starting line-up with its Hong Kong Sports Scholarship Programme, in conjunction with the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. Thanks to the financial assistance and special training afforded under this programme, 10 of the sponsored athletes have qualified to represent Hong Kong at the Games — and Michael Huddart, Manulife’s Executive Vice President & General Manager for Hong Kong, wished them every success in their great endeavour. He also announced at the gathering, which was attended by two Team Manulife athletes, Lee Chi Wo and Wan Kin Yee, that Manulife will be renewing the sports scholarship programme for a further two years as part of its commitment to the development of local sport. Also going to Beijing are a group of Manulife’s privileged customers, who won this dream holiday in the company’s “In Partnership With You For 110 Years” lucky draw. They will be joined by three members of Manulife staff and their partners, who were awarded the Olympics visit package as a prize in an internal “Dream Trip To Beijing” competition. In addition, some 300 top financial advisors from Manulife will be present at the opening or closing ceremonies under different hospitality programmes of the Games as a reward for having met or exceeded their sales targets. Manulife will provide return air tickets, hotel accommodation and admittance to various Olympic events. Commenting on the Beijing “dream package”, Mr. Huddart noted how Manulife’s Olympic Games sponsorship had inspired the slogan “Bringing Dreams To Life”. He said that “just as the Olympic Games bring the dreams of athletes and the nations under whose banners they compete to life, so we constantly strive to bring the dreams of our customers, our staff and financial advisors, underprivileged members of our society and those who benefit from our sponsorship, to life.” He went on: “The trip to Beijing is shaping up to be the experience of a lifetime for all those fortunate enough to be going. We hope that the Games themselves prove to be as memorable as they are historic, that China tops the medals table, that Hong Kong’s athletes do better than they’ve ever done before, and that everyone who finds themselves in the Chinese capital during the momentous month of August will return with at least one of their dreams fulfilled.” Also present at the send-off were some children from the Manulife Centre for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities, who were thrilled at the opportunity to meet Hong Kong triathlete Lee Chi Wo and sprinter Wan Kin Yee. The success of such role models, who have had to overcome many obstacles and hardships in their single-minded pursuit of excellence, is a tremendous inspiration for these kids. *The 10 Team Manulife athletes that will represent Hong Kong are: 1. Chan Wai Kei (Wind Surfing) 2. Kenneth Cheng (Equestrian) 3. Chow Tsz Ki (Fencing) 4. Lee Chi Wo (Triathlon) 5. So Sau Wah (Rowing) 6. Tie Ya Na (Table Tennis) 7. Tsai Hiu Wai (Swimming) 8. Wan Kin Yee (Athletics) 9. Hannah Wilson (Swimming) 10. Yip Pui Yin (Badminton) About the Worldwide Life Insurance Partner of the Olympic Games Manulife is the Official Worldwide Life Insurance Partner of the Olympic Games, supporting the Olympic Movement around the world, including Hong Kong. Much like the Olympic Movement, Manulife is dedicated to helping people achieve their dreams. By providing tailored life-insurance products and services to its valued customers via its professional agency force, Manulife facilitates the financial means for people to live out their dreams. This business essence is reflected in the company’s Olympic theme for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Bringing Dreams To Life. The Manulife Hong Kong Sports Scholarships Program, aimed at supporting young and aspiring athletes achieve their dream of representing Hong Kong at the Beijing Olympic Games, is one of Manulife’s key sponsorship initiatives, partnered with the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. More Manulife Olympic programs and news can be found on www.manulife.com.hk/olympicsponsorship/ About Manulife (International) Limited Manulife (International) Limited is a member of the Manulife Financial group of companies. Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$400 billion (approximately HK$3,029.5 billion) as at March 31, 2008. Manulife Financial is one of two publicly traded life insurance companies in the world whose rated life insurance subsidiaries hold Standard & Poor’s Rating Services’ highest “AAA” rating. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com. - 30 - For more information, please contact:
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