After a lot of preparation over the last 6 months, we are hugely proud and excited to
announce that China has now officially become the latest country member of the FIR (as
confirmed at the last FIR AGM).
In February this year, the FIR signed a strategic partnership with Shanghai based Flagship
Culture Creative Group who specialize in sports promotion / development and event
organization, working with sports brands, international sports federations and government at
all levels.
At a recent seminar in Shanghai, FIR President Duncan Stahl alongside Flagship chairman
Cheng Huadong presented their vision for launching and developing Racketlon in China:
regular grassroots, recreational, family orientated events combined with bringing high status
world tour tournaments over the coming years.
Whilst in Shanghai, the FIR President and Flagship held hugely encouraging talks with Juss
Sports who own many large scale sports venues and stadiums as well as organizing global
events such as the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, Rolex Shanghai Masters (Tennis), World
Athletics Diamond League, PSA China Open (Squash).
Juss Sports are fully supportive of efforts to launch Racketlon in China and have committed
to provide venues for local recreational events as well as support, logistics and venues for
big world tour tournaments.
“This is a huge step for Racketlon. With China’s tradition and huge player numbers in Table
Tennis and Badminton, combined with the more recent growth and success in tennis –
squash was the only missing part to the equation. But this all changed after squash’s
Olympic inclusion in LA28 – now squash is growing rapidly in China and there are already
several venues (and many more to come soon) where all 4 Racketlon sports can be played.
The partnership the FIR now has with Flagship is crucial. Flagship have very ambitious plans
to launch Racketlon in China and crucially have very good, influential contacts within
government and across many of sports’ main stakeholders in China. This is without doubt a
huge opportunity for Racketlon…I’m very proud we have been able to make this happen and
it’s something we should all be very excited about.” Duncan Stahl
”China is thrilled to officially join the FIR, marking a monumental step for Racketlon’s global expansion. With ambitious plans to launch grassroots events, family-friendly activities, and high-profile world tour tournaments, strategic partnerships with organizations like Flagship Culture Creative Group and Juss Sports aim to rapidly grow the sport across the country. Backed by influential figures and aligned with China’s thriving racket sports culture, this collaboration promises an exciting future for Racketlon in China.” – Thomas Tang
Thomas Tang (founder of FindingSquash), Liu Jiangxian (former CCTV presenter and
influential media figure), Yin Hao (Director of Druid Sport China and IAAF and FIBA
representative in China) and Cheng Huadong (Chairman of Flagship) will come together as
the very influential and well connected team to launch Chinese Racketlon.
A huge welcome to Racketlon China!
