Asia

Three IPL Franchises Join Socios’s Network of Major Global Sporting Properties

Published

5 years ago

May 14, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Chiliz, creators of the Chiliz Blockchain and Socios, the world’s leading sports tech fan engagement and monetization platform, have announced partnerships with three IPL franchises; Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The IPL is a Twenty20 cricket league contested by eight teams out of eight Indian cities with the highest attendance levels in world cricket and an overall brand value in excess of $6.5B. The T20 season was suspended last week keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind.

With no games for the foreseeable future, all three teams and Socios.com are now taking the opportunity to explore common blockchain and digital initiatives aimed at improving fan engagement.

Socios is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform that leverages blockchain technology to provide the world’s leading sporting organizations with the tools to engage with and monetize their global fanbases. Chief among the solutions offered to these properties are Fan Tokens – digital assets, minted on the Chiliz blockchain, that provide owners with access to voting rights in polls, VIP rewards, exclusive club and sponsor promotions, AR-enabled features, chat forums, games and competitions.

The announcement takes the total number of partners in the Socios.com network to more than 30. The Socios.com roster consists of a host of major international sporting properties, including European soccer giants FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, AC Milan and Manchester City and the UFC.

Chiliz $CHZ is a crypto unicorn with a market capitalization of $3B. The company has major global expansion plans and will continue to grow their existing presence in Europe, while increasing their global network with new partnerships in the US, UK, Asia and South America. The company has multiple office locations around the world and will open new US, European and South American headquarters in New York, Madrid and Sao Paulo in 2021. Chiliz generated revenues of $30M in 2020 that was shared with partners and is targeting $200M in 2021.

Satish Menon, CEO – Punjab Kings, said: “The IPL is amongst the top leagues in the world today and

Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world and is followed by fans universally.

“We are happy that Socios.com has recognized this and partnered with us. The partnership with Socios.com is a significant step towards a new genre of fan engagement that will emerge from this. We hope that the association benefits both the franchise and Socios.com and helps in the overall growth of the Franchise.”

Venky Mysore, CEO & MD of Kolkata Knight Riders, said, “The suspension of IPL was an unfortunate, but very much a necessary step to protect the safety of the players. We were keen to look at new ways of enhancing and optimizing how we engage with our fans, and Socios.com seemed like the right fit. Socios.com has already proven what a powerful tool it can be for fan engagement with some of the biggest sporting organisations in the world. Kolkata Knight Riders is honoured to be among the first IPL teams to forge a partnership with them and we’re excited to begin exploring all the possibilities this new partnership offers.”

Speaking of the partnership, Rajesh V Menon, Vice President & Head of Royal Challengers Bangalore, said, “RCB keeps the fan centre stage in everything we do. With the tournament paused for now and discontinued on-field entertainment, RCB has gladly partnered with Socios.com to bring some off-field engagement for our fans. With this partnership, we continue to look at new ways of enhancing and optimizing how we engage with our fans.”

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz and Socios said: “The suspension of the league was a vital step in the fight against COVID-19 in India, but Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders all see this period of on-field inactivity as an opportunity to begin exploring the range of possibilities partnering with Socios.com offers.

“Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world and transitioning passive fans into active fans is essential to its future.

“I’m very excited by the huge potential of these partnerships and future collaborations in this massive, vibrant market.”

Asia

Books on Wheels: DigiPlus Foundation Brings Mobile Library to Boost Literacy Among Aurora’s Young Learners

Published

6 days ago

February 20, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

books-on-wheels:-digiplus-foundation-brings-mobile-library-to-boost-literacy-among-aurora’s-young-learners

DigiPlus Foundation continues to champion inclusive learning by empowering young learners in Aurora Province through a meaningful partnership with youth-led volunteer group Sikat Aurora.

Following six months of sustained support for Sikat Aurora’s Abot Ko ang Libro storytelling initiative, an activity that brings reading sessions and learning spaces closer to children in local communities, DigiPlus Foundation and GameZone surprised the group with a new mobile library designed to support their mission beyond a single location. The mobile library will allow Sikat Aurora volunteers to roam across Aurora Province, reaching more children with books, learning materials, and storytelling activities.

The donation strengthens Sikat Aurora’s efforts to uplift nonformal education as a vital complement to classroom learning, especially for children with limited access to books and educational resources. By taking learning on the road, the mobile library transforms storytelling sessions into a scalable, sustainable program that can reach far-flung communities across the province.

RJ Belen, Founder of Sikat Aurora, said: “We are truly grateful for the trust and support of DigiPlus Foundation. This mobile library will help us reach more young learners in Aurora and strengthen our mission of nurturing a love for reading. Through nonformal education, we help support what children learn in school and create spaces where learning feels accessible, enjoyable, and empowering.”

“This will allow us to bring learning to children who may not always have access to educational materials, helping them build confidence and curiosity as they grow.”

Neil Orillaneda, Program Manager for Technology Education of DigiPlus Foundation, said: “Our goal is simple: no learner left behind. By supporting initiatives like Sikat Aurora’s mobile library, we help bridge learning gaps and ensure that children, regardless of location or circumstance, have access to educational resources that support their growth.”

The mobile library donation reflects DigiPlus Foundation’s belief that learning happens not only inside classrooms, but also within communities through shared stories, accessible resources, and partnerships that place children at the center of development.

The mobile library donation is part of a Php 1-million contribution from GameZone during the International Series Philippines (ISP), channeled through DigiPlus Foundation to support a range of community initiatives nationwide. Beyond education, the donation also funds livelihood support for local weavers, health program assistance for the LGBTQ+ community, aid for persons with disabilities in Cebu, and flood rescue equipment for Manila, reflecting a holistic approach to community development that addresses education, health, inclusion, and disaster preparedness.

The post Books on Wheels: DigiPlus Foundation Brings Mobile Library to Boost Literacy Among Aurora’s Young Learners appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Asia

World Esports Summit Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Busan

Published

1 month ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

world-esports-summit-celebrates-its-10th-edition-in-busan

The World Esports Summit returns to Busan, South Korea, for its 10th edition, taking place on 10–11 February 2025.

Hosted at the Wyndham Grand Busan, the Summit will bring together 40+ speakers from the international esports ecosystem, including representatives from federations, publishers, global brands, sports organizations, technology companies, and public institutions.

Over the past decade, the World Esports Summit has provided a platform for dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders shaping the world of esports. The 2025 edition will continue this role, offering space for discussion on current developments, industry challenges, and future directions.

The Summit will feature contributions from a wide range of organizations, including Alibaba, FIBA, FIFAe, Tencent, Moonton, NetEase, FIA, Sportradar, EFG, Good Game, Telekom, among others.

Across two days, participants will take part in keynote sessions and panel discussions addressing topics such as esports governance, international collaboration, industry development, integrity, and the continued convergence of esports and traditional sports.

Further information on the program, speakers, and registration is available on the official World Esports Summit website.

The post World Esports Summit Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Busan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

Insurgence Gaming Company Expands Grassroots Vision with MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

insurgence-gaming-company-expands-grassroots-vision-with-moba-legends-5v5-discord-play-ins

Following the launch of its inaugural women-focused VALORANT tournament La Imperia, the Insurgence Gaming Company has announced its second competitive initiative, MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins, a series of open community tournaments created to make organised competition more accessible to emerging players.

While La Imperia introduced a visibility-led invitational format, the MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins take a different approach. The series is built around open participation and will be hosted entirely online, with all tournament operations managed through Discord. This allows teams from across India to compete in a structured setting without the restrictions often associated with invite-only events.

The Play-Ins are designed as a starting point for players and teams who want to experience organised competition. Matches will be played in a 5v5 MOBA Draft Pick format, with scheduling, match reporting, and communication handled through dedicated Discord channels.

The announcement continues Insurgence Gaming Company’s early focus on grassroots esports. The company was created to address gaps in India’s competitive ecosystem, particularly at the amateur and semi-professional level where consistent tournament opportunities are still limited.

Speaking on the launch, Jasper Shabin, Founder of the Insurgence Gaming Company, said: “With La Imperia, we focused on visibility. With the Discord Play-Ins, the focus shifts to access. Competitive players need regular places to play, improve, and test themselves, not just one-off tournaments. MOBA Legends 5v5 is one of the most accessible competitive titles on mobile, which makes it a strong fit for an open, community-driven format.”

Beyond competition, the Discord Play-Ins are also intended to build a sense of continuity. Players will have access to channels dedicated to match coordination, tournament updates, and post-game discussion, helping teams stay connected beyond a single tournament run.

With the MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins, the Insurgence Gaming Company continues to shape its identity around community-first formats, pairing visibility-led initiatives like La Imperia with open competitive pathways that support long-term grassroots growth in Indian esports.

The post Insurgence Gaming Company Expands Grassroots Vision with MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.