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The reigning world champion team joins hands with the express delivery service to greet the coming Olympics

Starting this year, Olympic badminton champion Zhang Ning and world badminton champion Lin Dan will be wearing clothing with the FedEx logo on it.

Thats because Li Yongbo, head coach of Chinas badminton team, and Malcolm Sullivan, FedExs Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Asia Pacific, recently signed an agreement, under which the company will become the official sponsor of the Chinese Badminton Association from now to 2008.

The worldwide delivery services sponsorship is reportedly the largest amount of financial support the Chinese badminton team has ever received. FedEx, however, declined to reveal the details of the agreement. But one thing is certain: FedEx will increase its sponsorship fund annually. Insiders say that the two sides are still discussing cooperation details. From now on, Chinese national badminton team members will wear uniforms with the FedEx logo on the front in all world badminton competitions.

China is the fastest growing destination among all segments of FedExs international business. Currently, the company has 23 flights to the country every week and another three will be added to Chinese destinations in March. Since 1984, when FedEx entered the Chinese market, it has provided services to over 200 cities.

While FedEx is a sponsor of many significant world sports organizations and competitions, this is the first time that it has become involved in a Chinese sporting activity. But its successful marketing experiences in the sports field and its advanced promotion methods provide a basis for success in China.

The cooperation between FedEx and the Chinese national badminton team places more emphasis on building a stronger brand and achieving a win-win situation.

At the signing ceremony, Li expressed gratitude for FedExs support on behalf of the China Badminton Association, as well as the national badminton team.

“The China Badminton Association places a great deal of importance on FedExs plan to promote Chinas badminton brand across the world,” Li said. “It will be conducive to the further development and popularization of badminton.”

“We firmly believe that our cooperation with FedEx will enhance our respective images and brand effects and both sides will benefit from the cooperation. It is also our belief that this cooperation will advance the development of the Olympic Games,” he added.

Eddy Chan, President of FedEx China, also expressed confidence in the accord. “Our cooperation with Chinas badminton team will give us an opportunity to introduce FedExs sports marketing experience to China, thus further promoting the development of Chinas badminton as well as the Olympic Games,” he said.

Chinas badminton team currently is gearing up for the 2008 Olympic Games, and officials said the timely support offered by FedEx makes the team more confident in facing the coming challenges.