KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, will team up with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to support athletes with dual-career and career-transition opportunities by empowering them to become entrepreneurs.
In a statement here, Alibaba.com said the announcement of it as the first worldwide Olympic and Paralympic e-commerce partner to join the fourth edition of the Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme (Business Accelerator) will be made at a grand launch event in Paris today.
“The Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme was a business incubator that aimed to equip current and former professional athletes with the skills needed to create and manage their businesses,” the statement said.
Through the programme, Alibaba.com aims to significantly impact the lives of more than 1,000 global athletes and former athletes, empowering them with training and opportunities, the statement said.
In addition, Alibaba.com has announced that it will also offer 50 promising candidates Business Accelerator packages worth US$10,000 that include logistics, operational and sourcing training, and credit to help candidates unlock long-term, sustainable growth opportunities.
“We connect buyers and suppliers from over 200 countries and regions, offering innovative services and technology-driven business tools to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) start and grow their businesses.
“This simplifies global trade for buyers and sellers, offering opportunities for all aspiring entrepreneurs, including athletes, to get ahead in business,” adding that according to new data from Alibaba.com, nearly two-thirds or 63 per cent of former sportspeople struggle to find a new career after sport.
According to new data from Alibaba.com, nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of former sportspeople struggle to find a new career after sport, despite 76 per cent thinking they have the transferable skills relevant for business, while just over half (52 per cent) are now running their own business.
The statement said as the first partner to join the programme, Alibaba.com would create an e-commerce and global-trade-focused multi-phase training scheme designed to build participants' knowledge of business-critical areas such as AI tools, global sourcing and B2B export through digital marketplaces.
Meanwhile, Alibaba.com president Kuo Zhang said that Alibaba.com has witnessed many individuals without a business background become highly successful SMEs using its services and tools.
“Athletes, known for their courage, determination, and positive mindset in sports, bring these essential traits to the business world. Their focus and resilience give them an edge as entrepreneurs," he was quoted as saying in the statement.
In addition, the Athletes' Department director at the IOC, Kaveh Mehrabi, said they were excited to bring Alibaba.com on board as a partner for the IOC’s Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme.
He said that equipping athletes with the proper training and skills through Alibaba.com’s mentoring program and digital tools will give aspiring athlete and Olympian entrepreneurs the boost they need to start their businesses.
“The initiative serves as a strong demonstration of our shared commitment to build on the expertise of our top partners to empower athletes to build successful second careers,” Mehrabi said.
To help bridge the divide between sport and commerce, Alibaba.com would offer participants of the Business Accelerator programme mentorship opportunities with senior executives and global teams from Alibaba.com, as well as with its Global Ambassadors—all of whom have successfully transitioned from sport to entrepreneurship.
The Alibaba.com Global ambassadors are two-time Olympian Tony Parker, professional mountain biker Elias Schwärzler and former professional tennis player Simona Galik Moore.
Like Tony, Elias, and Simona - who all use Alibaba.com in their respective businesses - SMEs around the globe can benefit from Alibaba.com's unique offers, the statement said.
-- BERNAMA
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