Xiamen firms snatch market share of winter sports

Xiamen enterprises take the opportunity presented by Beijing's hosting the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. [Photo/ xmnn.cn]

Xiamen enterprises have started embarking on winter sports-related business as the International Olympic Committee announced that China's capital Beijing will host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Xiamen Daily reported on March 6.

The city's Kindomway Sports signed a four-year deal with the World Curling Federation to launch a brandnew competition – the Curling World Cup -- to maximize the opportunity brought by Beijing's hosting the Games.

Another six-year agreement with the winter sports management center of China's top sports bureau was also concluded with a contract valued at 210 million yuan ($32.97 million).

According to the agreement, all the winter competitions held in China will be marketed and broadcasted by Kindomway Sports; the Curling World Cup is included.

ANTA Sports, headquartered in Xiamen, launched its first self-developed ski equipment at the end of 2017.

"Complete equipment for snow and ice sports will be available in autumn and winter of this year," Zheng Jie, president of ANTA Sports said.

Zheng believes that as there are more and more winter sports enthusiasts, there is a great potential market in China and by sponsoring China's national teams and purchasing mature winter sports firms, ANTA is fully prepared to meet the demand.

A five-year ice and snow strategic plan starting from 2018 has also been formulated by ANTA to help winter sports beginners enjoy the pleasure brought by such sports.