Japan sign $140m sponsorship deal with Adidas

TOKYO, May 25: The Japan Football Association (JFA) signed an eight-year sponsorship extension tosday with German sporting goods giant Adidas worth 140 million dollars.

The new deal is to run from April 2007 until March 2015 and covers all Japan's national sides from youth to senior level.

''This clearly surpasses the amount of capital Adidas have invested over the past seven years,'' JFA president Saburo Kawabuchi told reporters.

''It will help with a range of projects such as bringing through youngsters, improving facilities and raising the level of coaching.''

REUTERS