Daraz managing director Ehsan Saya said its partnership with the POA would be of great support to the athletes.

"Daraz has always stood to empower the youth of Pakistan and hence, this partnership is a very natural association for us," said Saya.

"We are super excited to stand with our national heroes as they represent Pakistan in Tokyo.

POA President Syed Arif Hasan said the partnership was recognition of the country's best athletes at the Games and thanked the company for their collaboration.

Alibaba Group is part of The Olympic Partners (TOP) programme, which is the highest level of sponsorship at the Games, giving companies exclusive rights in their respective fields.

"We appreciate the start of a new beginning," added POA secretary general Muhammad Khalid Mahmood. 

"Alibaba is a TOP partner of the IOC and Daraz is looking after the interest of Alibaba in Pakistan. 

"We are happy to join hands with an IOC TOP partner and initiate sponsorship for the Pakistani athletes. 

"This partnership will encourage the national athletes particularly and Olympic Movement inspire others to come forward too."

Hasan confirmed that each athlete was given a total of $622 (£448/€529) for preparations for Tokyo 2020.

At the Games, Pakistan had 10 athletes competing, but won no medals.

The country was represented in athletics, badminton, judo, shooting, swimming and weightlifting.

Their best results were in the men's javelin and the men's weightlifting.

Arshad Nadeem finished fifth in the men's javelin final, making him the first Pakistani to qualify for the final of a track and field event in the history of the Olympics.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Talha Talib was fifth in the men's under-67-kilogram category in weightlifting, finishing 2kg away from the bronze medal.

Pakistan have not won an Olympic medal in 29 years, last claiming bronze at Barcelona 1992 in men's hockey.