Sprite adds celebrity fizz to inspire youth

David G. Brooks, second left, chairman of Coca Cola Greater China and Korea BU, receives a memorial cup from Yang Chunlei, deputy secretary of China Youth Development Foundation, after a celebrity basketball exhibition match to raise funds for China's youth development in Shanghai, Aug 9, 2013. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Robert Foyer, right, vice-president of Coca-Cola Asia Pacific Group for Customer & Commercial Leadership, poses for a photo with Kobe Bryant before a celebrity basketball exhibition match to raise funds for China's youth development in Shanghai, Aug 9, 2013. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Sprite added a little fizz to basketball when it hosted a celebrity match on Aug 9 in Shanghai to try to raise funds for youth development.

The event, Be Your True Self, was held to inspire the young people to follow their dreams.

David G. Brooks,chairman of Coca-Cola Greater China and Korea BU presented more than 2 million yuan in ticket proceeds to Yang Chunlei, deputy secretary of China Youth Development Foundation.

The money will be used to help build the Coca-Cola Project Hope schools in underdeveloped areas across the mainland to improve basketball and other sporting facilities.

A star-studded lineup greeted fans including a musical performances featuring Taiwan pop icon Jay Chou and NBA star Kobe Bryant sent the audience into a frenzy.

Kobe Bryant took the role as coach of the green-shirted Celebrity Team captained by Jay Chou, while former NBA player Stephon Marbury led other professional basketball players to form the yellow-shirted Legend Team.

Both teams were engaged in a three-point shootout as a warm-up before the real face-off started at Shanghai Eastern Sports Stadium. Actor Wu Chun, a Brunei-born actor who launched his career in Taiwan and is known for his athletic skills, and former NBA player John Starks became the Celebrity Team's secret weapons, giving the team an extra boost of confidence. The Celebrity Team won 104-100.

Celebrity Team, green-shirted and captained by Chinese pop star Jay Chou, and Legend Team, yellow-shirted and captained by former NBA player Stephon Marbury, are ready to face off before a celebrity basketball exhibition match to raise funds for China's youth development in Shanghai, Aug 9, 2013. [Photo provided to China Daily]

To make it a memorable night, the mega concert turned the event into a musical feast. Led by Jay Chou, popular singers like Ding Dang, Fu Xinbo and Yen-j performed their hit songs, leading the audience to raucous cheers of appreciation.

The match followed the online video Sprite 6, which was made public months ago. Players served as archetypes of video characters based on their personalities and roles in the team. Chou was named "Trickster", while Bryant was the "Organizer", well suited for his role as the coach.

Kobe Bryant said 'Be Your True Self' means to believe in yourself, be comfortable with who you are and never try to please anybody, saying "I walked on my own way when I was very young and I am not going to change my way."

"Being my true self is nothing more than doing something you enjoy," said Chou.

Coca-Cola Greater China contributed to the story