Sports Desk
DALIAN: Chinese football club Dalian Pro has announced a collaboration with FIFA, which will result in the establishment of a Football Technology Innovation Hub at its new state-of-the-art academy in Dalian.
The collaboration, which was facilitated by a FIFA Partner, the Dalian Wanda Group, will run for an initial three-year period. The two parties will work closely to continue the development of football in China with a specific focus on research, testing and developing standards for new technologies aimed primarily at youth and grassroots football.
Through the collaboration with Dalian Pro, FIFA will have access to Wanda’s new academy in Dalian where they will trial new technologies and innovations in football together with Dalian Pro players from all age groups.
FIFA deputy secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom said: “Dalian Pro shares our commitment to leveraging technology to improve football at all levels. Pairing the state-of-the-art facilities at the Dalian Pro academy with the prospect of a regional innovation hub in China will unlock the huge potential for all football stakeholders interesting in keen to take the next step forward.”
Dalian Pro and FIFA also plan to co-host innovation days, aimed at providing stakeholders a platform to showcase and test the latest developments in football technology on a regular basis.
Dalian Pro head coach Rafa Benitez said: “The opportunity to collaborate with FIFA is very important for us. As a coach, you need to make sure you have access to the latest technology. To be part of this project is good for Dalian Pro and also good for FIFA who can use our players and our academy to innovate and apply new technologies. Having the latest software in our hands will enable us to try and improve our players and hopefully we will see international players for China coming from our academy in the future.”
The Innovation Hub project is already in its first phase with FIFA and Dalian Pro, working together on a pilot project for a new Athletes Management System, which will be followed by further projects in the months to come.
