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China’s US$100 million Alisports deal on the scrapheap as World Rugby moves on from ‘complex’ relationship
- World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper says the body is working with the mainland federation on other development programmes
- Vice-chairman Agustin Pichot says they are looking at a second series of tournaments for countries outside the World Series elite
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World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper has finally brought closure to the governing body’s relationship with Alisports’ China rugby deal, saying the programme is cancelled and they are moving forward in other areas.
In a discussion on the sidelines of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on Saturday, Gosper said the US$100 million, 10-year programme launched in 2016 to develop rugby in China was no longer viable.
“We are no longer working with Alibaba,” Gosper said, and after a long pause, added: “There you go.”
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The Alisports deal was announced during the 2016 Hong Kong Sevens, with officials envisaging a long-term programme to boost the number of players, teams, referees and coaches on the mainland in the hope of turning China into a rugby super power.
However, a change of leadership at China’s rugby governing body meant the new officials were not as keen on the programme as their predecessors.
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