The Chilean Olympic Committee has signed a collaboration agreement with the Luksic Foundation ©Getty Images

The Chilean Olympic Committee (COCH) has signed a collaboration agreement with the Luksic Foundation aimed at supporting 16 athletes in their preparations for the Pan American Games.

The athletes - from table tennis, sport climbing and 3x3 basketball - will be helped to buy equipment needed for the lead-up to Santiago 2023.

Chile is due to host the Pan American Games for the first time next year, with sport climbing among the sports due to make debuts.

"It is great news that entities such as the Luksic Foundation are making an explicit commitment to sport in our country," said COCH President Miguel Ángel Mujica.

"We are very grateful and we trust that this will be the first step in a relationship that can give great opportunities to national sport."

Sport climbing is on the Pan American Games programme for the first time ©Getty Images
Sport climbing is on the Pan American Games programme for the first time ©Getty Images

The Luksic Foundation is a philanthropic organisation established by Andrónico Luksic Abaroa, who was the richest man in Chile.

So far its involvement in sport has largely been focused on hockey and football.

However, the agreement with the COCH is also hoped to lead to it backing activities which can boost table tennis, sport climbing and 3x3 basketball development in Chile.