National sports data lab launched

A national sports data laboratory was established Sunday in Beijing, in a bid to build up a platform for sports and big data industry to communicate and foster synergic development.

The lab, called Chinese Sports Big Data and Blockchain Technology Laboratory, was jointly launched by Beijing Institute of Big Data Research, ZhongShiLiangZhong (Beijing) Cultural Media Co Ltd and Xinda Rong Chuang (Beijing) Management Consulting Co Ltd. It aims at utilizing big data and blockchain technology to promote the transformation and upgrading of the sports industry, and better serve the public.

Wen Zaiwen, director of the laboratory, said "Just like big data can instruct artificial intelligence program AlphaGo to compete against human, it can also guide the player assignment for a soccer match, or how a ticket office sells tennis tickets. Big data and blockchain technology can bring actual benefits to the sports industry."

Specifically, the lab will collect, organize and analyze valuable data around the entire industrial chain related to sports, to empower the sports and health industry. Furthermore, it will increase the efficiency in the industry, as well as guide and boost consumption in the field.

Using the strong human resources of Beijing Institute of Big Data Research, the lab will actively promote the coordinated development of technology and sports industry. An expert think tank in the field of sports, big data and blockchain will be established, so that a team of experts are able to provide technical consulting and decision-making support to the government, research institutions, enterprises and other professionals in the field.

At the meantime, the lab will promote the integration of production, teaching and research, where scientific and technological results and related products come out.

"Sports penetrate into every aspects of our life, including sports education, competitive sports, physical exercise, cultural entertainment and healthcare. In 2016, the General Administration of Sport issued a guideline that during the 13th Five Year Plan period (2016-20), the nation should combine sports with internet, to bring about intelligent sports. I hope big data and blockchain technology can actually serve the development of sports industry," said Cai Hongyu, deputy director of Beijing Institute of Big Data Research.

Li Yiliang, director with the Countywide Internet Finance Working Committee, said that "The blockchain technology stores and verifies data, and guarantees the security of data transfer and access. Currently, the research and application of the technology have marched into a new level, and the technology will bring earthshaking changes to many industries. For the sports industry, adopting the blockchain technology is a demand to adapt to the era of development."