Reports indicate that Chinese sports apparel, footwear and accessories provider Li Ning has acquired certain divisions belonging to badminton brand Kason Sports. The purchase, which includes Kason’s research, manufacturing and marketing units, reportedly totalled 165 million yuan ($24.1 million).

It seems Li Ning, which sponsored the Chinese national badminton team and the 2009 Sudirman Championships held in Guangzhou, is eager to widen its influence in the badminton market. According to the firm’s chief executive officer, Zhang Zhiyong, it is now the second most popular sport in China.

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