It has been reported by many media in China including Xinmin Wanbao, that Jack Ma has decided to sponsor the Chinese Women’s Football Team, after his recent trip to the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. 

According to these reports, Jack Ma, the boss of Alibaba Group, attended the Women’s  football final at the Asian Games where the Chinese Women’s Football Team won the silver medal. He took part in the medal ceremony and praised the team for their relentless fighting spirit. 

Media reports say that Jack Ma has decided to offer a large amount of money to sponsor the Chinese women’s team. It has even been reported that Jack Ma and Alibaba have reached some initial common ground with the Chinese Football Association regarding this sponsorship and that Alisports  would provide prize money, flights and services  to the Chinese women’s football team in the future. 

Ant Financial, a subsidiary of Alibaba, who sponsored the CUFA women’s football league this year, is said to be the Alibaba company that is going to sponsor the Chinese women’s football team. There was a previous report early this year by Lanxiong Sports that Ant Financial was going to sponsor the Chinese women’s football team, but there was no official announcement or other articles on the sponsorship. 

The Chinese women’s football team is widely known as producing great results on the pitch but off the pitch they have had a poor commercial revenue. Compared to the men’s football teams, women’s football players salaries are significantly lower and female playing careers are harder. Therefore, Alibaba’s sponsorship of the women’s football teams is being described as a huge contribution to the women’s football career. 

Reference: Hupu 

Proofread by Raymond Fitzpatrick