US$100 million on hold: World Rugby suspends China programme over governance changes

CEO Brett Gosper says progress has been slow but he is confident the development project will be up and running again in May

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Team China win the qualifiers on the first day of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 2:26pm, 7 Apr 2018Updated: 4:41pm, 7 Apr 2018

Alisports’ US$100 million investment to develop rugby in China has been temporarily halted as the world governing body assesses the fall-out of sweeping changes in mainland sports governance.

World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper said on Saturday that gradual changes implemented by sports minister Gou Zhongwen has trickled down to various sporting bodies in the country and the China Rugby Union is one of those affected.

He said the programme, launched in April 2016, has been suspended for about two months – slowing down what was already a programme moving at snail’s pace.

“We signed an agreement with Alisports to work on developing rugby at grassroots level but also working on staging competitions in sevens and 15s, for men and women. That was the intention,” said Gosper on the sidelines of the Hong Kong Sevens.

World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper (left) and vice president Augustin Pichot. Photo: Handout

“I’d have to say it’s been slow progress, the partnership. It’s slower than we would have liked. Things aren’t easy and rapid in China as we would have liked in the areas we are dealing with.

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