BNN Tech partners with Barça to support grassroots football in China

London-listed Chinese content services company BNN Technology has partnered with FC Barcelona to provide events, experiences and football content on Xinhua News’s mobile app from early next year.

Through BNN’s partner NewNet, it will distribute news about FC Barcelona, competitions and games through the sports section on the Xinhua News app, which is part of the official press agency of China.

The partnership will also see NewNet run football camps each season in China for over 300 Chinese amateur football players, who will be trained by FC Barcelona coaches and one of the camps will be held at Barcelona's official training centre.

The company said the partnership underscores its commitment to supporting grassroots football in China, by delivering programmes that builds on its operations in the country.

BNN’s chief executive Darren Mercer said: "China has real ambition to be a global leader in football, and communities and schools in provinces up and down the country are at the beginning of a fascinating football journey.

“We are proud to be contributing to a project of national importance at a formative stage, and to enrich lives by encouraging both grassroots and top-level involvement in this beautiful game is something I am particularly proud that BNN Technology is part of."

Shares in BNN Technology were down 1.17% to 142.81p at 0926 GMT.