Alibaba signs deal to develop rugby

E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is planning to develop rugby on the Chinese mainland and exclusively broadcast rugby content through the online platform of its new sport division - Alisports.

Alisports and World Rugby, the global governing body of the sport, announced an agreement on Sunday at the annual Hong Kong Sevens, a premier seven-a-side tournament.

No financial terms were revealed, but Alisports said it will make a long-term investment and pump in millions of dollars to make the game popular in China.