Singapore, February 1, 2010 - Chinese sports brand Li-Ning will be sponsoring the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) to the tune of S$8.8 million. The sponsorship is a combination of cash and value-in-kind over a four-year period from 2010 to 2013.

"Our strategic direction from 2009 and subsequent next five years, will involve overseas market development, together with our aim to become the sporting brand synonymous with Badminton,” said Ms Vivien Lim, the general manager of Li-Ning Sports Singapore Pte Ltd.

“The brand differentiation is to establish badminton as [the] benchmark sport. In addition, [the] core competencies of Li-Ning are brand building and marketing, proper product design and R&D. Now the company wants to consolidate their position … by sponsoring associations, coaches, players and organizing tournaments.”

Said Mr Lee Yi Shyan, president of the Singapore Badminton Association: "SBA is happy to find a partner in Li-Ning which shares our strategic vision for the badminton sport. Their generous sponsorship would help us accomplish many things that we could not do before. With Li-Ning’s partnership, we hope to bring badminton to the next level of excellence.”

Li-Ning Sponsorship Details
Title and Official Equipment Sponsor of the Li-Ning Singapore Open Super Series (if the Badminton World Federation awards the hosting rights to SBA for 2011-13)
Title and Official Equipment Sponsor of the Li-Ning Singapore International Series
Title and Official Equipment Sponsor of the Li-Ning Singapore Youth International
Title and Official Equipment Sponsor of the Li-Ning National Team Championships
Title and Official Equipment Sponsor of the Li-Ning National Age-Group (Singles)
Official Equipment Sponsor of the National Age-Group (Doubles)
Official Equipment Sponsor of the Post-Secondary Team Challenge
Official Equipment Sponsor of the Invitational Schools (Secondary) Team Challenge
Official Apparel and Equipment Sponsor of National Teams 1 and 2, Youths and Juniors
Personal Sponsor of selected individual National Team 1 and 2 players

This follows Li-Ning's sponsorship of the following to the amount of about S$1m last year:
Official Equipment Sponsor of the Aviva Open Singapore Super Series
Title and Official Equipment Sponsor of the Li-Ning Singapore International Series
Title and Official Equipment Sponsor of the Li-Ning Singapore Youth International
Official Equipment Sponsor of the Cheers Age-Group (Singles)
Official Equipment Sponsor of the Cheers Age-Group (Doubles)
Official Equipment Sponsor of the Cheers Post-Secondary Team Challenge
Official Equipment Sponsor of the Cheers Invitational Schools (Secondary) Team Challenge
Official Apparel and Equipment Sponsor of National Teams 1 and 2, Youths and Juniors
Personal Sponsor of selected individual National Team 1 and 2 players