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IMMEDIATE RELEASE 04.08.2026
Blue Orchid Hospitality's long-standing commitment to investing in London, supporting communities and transforming public spaces, led by Chairman Tony Matharu, has culminated in a remarkable full-circle moment, as the Basketball England Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning men's 3x3 basketball team returns to the very court where they inspired thousands ahead of the Games.
On Thursday 6 August, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, Jamell Anderson, Ashley Hamilton, Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye and Evan Walshe will return to the London Sports Festival's pop-up 3x3 basketball court in Paternoster Square, proudly bringing their Commonwealth Games gold medals back to the City of London.
The visit is more than a celebration of sporting success. It represents the outcome of a vision led by Blue Orchid Hospitality, whose investment as Headline Partner of the London Sports Festival has helped transform central London into a destination where elite sport, community participation and business engagement come together.
Earlier this year, Blue Orchid Hospitality worked alongside Central London Alliance, Book It Please, Cheapside Business Alliance, Paternoster Square, London 3x3 and the City of London Corporation to welcome the King's Baton Relay to the heart of the Square Mile. As part of the celebrations, the men's, women’s and wheelchair women’s 3x3 basketball teams coached local schoolchildren, met residents, workers and visitors, and showcased the sport.
It is an extraordinary story that demonstrates the value of investing in people and place.
What began as an innovative idea to animate a public space has become a platform that connected Londoners with future Commonwealth champions before they stood on top of the podium.
Since opening, the pop-up court has transformed Paternoster Square into a vibrant destination for sport, community and wellbeing. Thousands of people have taken part in free coaching sessions, corporate challenges, junior coaching, wheelchair basketball, women's and inclusive community sessions, fitness classes and tournaments, bringing new life to one of London's most iconic public spaces.
The activation reflects Blue Orchid Hospitality's wider commitment to creating lasting social value across the capital. Beyond welcoming guests through its award-winning hotels, residences, apartments and venues, the company continues to invest in initiatives that strengthen communities, support local businesses, improve wellbeing and celebrate London's position as one of the world's leading cities.
"Blue Orchid Hospitality has always believed that investing in London means investing in its people. Hospitality is about creating experiences, bringing people together, welcoming them and leaving them and the places they visit with a positive impact, and that philosophy extends far beyond our hotels.
As Headline Partner of the London Sports Festival, we set out and achieved our ambition to demonstrate that innovative partnerships can transform public spaces into destinations that inspire communities, support businesses and create opportunities for everyone to be active.
When we welcomed the men's, women’s and wheelchair women’s 3x3 basketball teams to Paternoster Square during the King's Baton Relay, we saw first-hand the excitement they generated among thousands of young people, families and workers. To now see them back as Commonwealth Games gold medallists is an incredibly proud moment - not just for them, but for everyone who believed in the vision of bringing elite sport into the heart of London and making it available to all.
This is what meaningful investment looks like. It creates opportunity, sparks ambition, strengthens communities and leaves a legacy that extends far beyond a single event. We hope these champions inspire thousands more people to discover the power of sport and remind us all what can be achieved when London continues to innovate, collaborate and invest in its future.
Whilst the basketball courts in Guildhall Yard and Paternoster Square were a first for the City and resulted in gold medal rewards for the Commonwealth teams, the creativity and innovation reflects London’s energy and resilience, previously demonstrated by the successful GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS for padel in 2023 and pickleball in 2024, both sponsored by Blue Orchid Hospitality. These medals and records are a testament to a forward looking City, reinforcing the world class attributes of its people, places and communities."
Members of the public are invited to meet the Basketball England men’s 3x3 team in Paternoster Square on Thursday 6 August between 12:00pm and 2:00pm, where they will be able to see the gold medals, meet the players, hear about their journey and celebrate an extraordinary sporting achievement born from an equally extraordinary partnership.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Blue Orchid HospitalityBlue Orchid Hospitality is a private collection of award-winning luxury independent hotels, apartments, suites, residences and venues incorporating state-of-the-art meetings, conference and event facilities together with bars, gyms and spas, located in central London.
Featuring some of the best located properties in the capital, Blue Orchid Hospitality skilfully blends a wealth of history and local tradition with contemporary luxury.
Attending on Thursday 6th and available for interview
London Sports Festival is a unique festival of sporting installations and activations across the capital in some of London’s most iconic locations together with hidden streets and leafy backwaters. London Sports Festival is a place where workers, residents and visitors can enjoy the capital and build lasting relationships through sport. The festival offers a diverse range of sports ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. The full programme can be found at www.londonsportsfestival.com.
London Sports Festival is brought to you by Central London Alliance CIC
Central London Alliance, a Community Interest Company, was formed to support a sustainable, economic recovery of London’s business, hospitality, cultural, tourism, and retail sectors and to help both employers and workers to survive through coronavirus and beyond. Politically independent and supported by organisations of varying sizes and sectors, the Central London Alliance CIC works towards a strong economic recovery of central London, ensuring its continued viability as a leading global city.
