China FA Signs Deal With Tech Firm STATSports

Data firm STATSports secured a "lucrative deal" with the Chinese FA, according to John Kennedy of SILICON REPUBLIC. STATSports' technology will "play a key role" in helping China reach its goal to qualify for, host and win a World Cup within the next 30 years, and to get 50 million people in the country playing the sport by '20. The company’s Apex technology tracks each athlete’s performance during practice sessions and games, and "provides direct and invaluable real-time feedback to coaching staff and players." CFA Head of National Team Performance Lido Du said, "We are looking to improve our on-field performance of our national teams." The Chinese deal comes just months after STATSports signed a deal worth $1.5B with the US Soccer Federation "for players to wear its performance data vests." The deal should result in 4 million registered footballers wearing the Northern Ireland company’s Apex performance technology vests, "similar to those used by the game’s top players, within three years" (SILICON REPUBLIC, 11/5).