Alisports is going to invest $100M over the next 10 years in an effort to popularize rugby in China, World Rugby announced, according to James Porteous of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The company -- the sporting division of Alibaba -- "revealed its plans at a launch in Shanghai." The cash will be used to set up the first professional leagues for men and women, and national sevens programs. And a "massive" mass participation program "will be launched in 10,000 universities and schools" in an effort to attract 1 million new players over five years. Development programs aim to recruit and train 30,000 coaches and 15,000 match officials by '20, while the firm will launch a nationwide marketing program and broadcast rugby on its TV and digital channels. The country "is making a major effort to increase sporting participation at all levels, and businesses have been rushing to get involved" (SCMP, 10/26). REUTERS' Nick Mulvenney reported the deal is part of an "initiative to make the world's most populous nation a force" in rugby. World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper said, "World Rugby's strategic mission is to grow the global rugby family. China is central to that mission." World Rugby and Alisports signed a 10-year deal in April to increase playing numbers and bring major events to China. Alisports CEO Zhang Dazhong said, "Rugby is a great Olympic team sport with strong values, which is why we are so excited about its undoubted potential in China" (REUTERS, 10/26).
'UNPRECEDENTED PLATFORM': STUFF reported with sevens at the Olympics now and Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup, "rugby's participation and popularity in Asia is growing." Alisports will also broadcast World Rugby content and programming and work with World Rugby to "implement a best-practice environment for China to host major events" in the next 10 years. World Rugby Chair Bernard Lapasset said that the deal with one of China's "biggest entertainment and e-commerce giants is a reflection of the strong appetite for the sport in emerging rugby markets." Lapasset: "With global participation having doubled to 7.7 million since rugby was readmitted onto the summer Olympic Games program in 2009, this deal will ensure an unprecedented platform for rugby to reach, engage and inspire new participants across China." He said that World Rugby's collaboration with the China Rugby FA "is focused on seven provinces but this partnership will enable them to achieve more ambitious targets" around city, provincial and national men's and women's 15s and sevens (STUFF, 10/26). In London, Sophie Williams reported Asia "is a growing market for rugby union," which went professional in '95. Japan has "heavily contributed to the growth on the continent" with a growing strength on the int'l scene. Meanwhile in China, the Rugby Football Association has worked with school and university programs to help expand the sport (DAILY MAIL, 10/26).
