体坛英语新闻：World's leading sports exhibition ISPO Munich to attract 80,000 visitors

MUNICH, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Sports exhibition ISPO Munich 2016 kicked off Sunday in the Munich international exhibition center, attracting more than 2,600 exhibitors from about 50 countries and regions.

According to the organizer, nine fully packed exhibition segments in 16 exhibition halls covering 180,000 square meters have been offered for the world's leading sports exhibition.

A total of 2,645 exhibitors have registered for the exhibition, 60 more than in the previous year. Among them, 87 percent are foreign exhibitors.

Meanwhile, the organizer announces that this year's exhibition will focus on "digitalization in sports retail" and about 80,000 visitors are expected for the event from Jan. 24 to 27.

"Visiting the ISPO Munich is a real must for the whole of the sports industry. The ISPO Munich brings together decision-makers and stakeholders. It also maps out trends and tracks down potential as well as opportunities for development. It is also a place where visitors find out ways of gaining new audiences and increasing sales," said Klaus Dittrich, CEO of Munich international exhibition center.

Dittrich reiterated that China is the most promising and opportune market for sporting goods manufacturers altogether, particularly in times of stagnating development in Europe.

"If you want to grow in this industry, you have to be present there. Sports and exercise are becoming increasingly more popular in China, and the Chinese population is discovering recreational sports," he added.