Online player Sport8 moves into soccer sector

Sport8's plan is not only to help nurture the country's next generation of soccer stars but to get more children interested in playing the game.

So far, more than 60,000 potential coaches have registered on the platform, while 10,000 have already received professional training.

The app also has close to 130,000 parents signed up in search of soccer clinics or private coaches for their children.

"In eight months from now, we would like to reach a target of 5 million members and 1.2 million regular users," Bai said, adding that Sport8 operates in 47 cities.

Tuition fees vary, depending on the location. In large cities such as Beijing, a training session of 90 minutes is usual 200 yuan.

In smaller cities, the cost can be low as 100 yuan. Payment is made online through Wechat, developed by Tencent Holdings Ltd, or Alipay, part of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

"The fees only cover tuition and the costs of renting the pitch. We do not make a profit here," Bai, who has yet to release detailed financial figures for the company, such as revenue numbers, said.

But he did point out that sponsorship deals, similar to ones put together with Chinese sports equipment brand Xtep, as well as advertising and selling soccer products will bring in cash.

Additional income will also be generated from the company's business tie up with China's Ministry of Education to train physical education teachers across the country.

By 2020, the ministry calculates there will be 20 million children playing soccer in schools. That means one in ten students will need to be coached by qualified teachers.

"We would like to reach 3,000 schools by June next year," Bai said. This is a big opportunity for us."

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