Latest News
Football for Friendship holds expert discussion on sports development during pandemic
Experts of the international online discussion “Motivation and training in the context of the pandemic: the impact of Internet technologies on sports” reached the mutual conclusion that the pandemic will boost the development of e-sports and broaden the way sports are perceived in the world. It’s expected that the existing trend will strengthen: over the past 3-4 years, the audience of e-sports events has grown 5-6 times.
The discussion was initiated by the Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship, which has, for the first time, brought the entire season online in 2020. Meanwhile, the annual World Championship for Young Participants from more than 100 countries is held in the new football simulator Football for Friendship World. In the future, the app will become a gaming platform where anyone can train, join mixed international teams, and play their favorite game in the Football for Friendship format without leaving the comfort of home.
The guest experts — football players and e-sports players — shared their views on how the pandemic is affecting the training process, and whether e-sports will be able to fully replace traditional sports in the future. Alexey Smertin, adviser to the President of the Russian Football Union and Ambassador of the Football for Friendship programme, and Alexandra Kosteniuk, grandmaster, three-times winner of the World Chess Olympiads, and European Chess Champion, spoke about the impact of the pandemic on professional sports. Igor Bugaenko, head of the Special Projects Department of the Russian eSports Federation (RESF), spoke about the development of Russian e-sports. The discussion was attended by representatives of FC Schalke 04: head of the e-sports division Tim Reichert, League of Legends coach Dylan Falco, and professional FIFA player Tim Schwartmann (“Tim Latka”). The discussion was moderated by Euronews TV host Andy Robini.
Igor Bugaenko expressed his conviction that the pandemic can also have a positive impact on sports: “Despite the cancellation of many offline sporting events, we are doing our best to maintain the quality and spirit of the competitions that are currently held online. The pandemic has affected how people spend their free time. I think the main achievement of this period has been to broaden the way sports are perceived, enabling people to re-evaluate the role of e-sports in the world”. The expert also noted that Russia was one of the first countries to officially recognize e-sports. According to Bugaenko, in the last 3-4 years alone, the audience of e-sports events has grown 5-6 times.
However, according to Alexey Smertin, e-sports are hard to compare to traditional sports, with their “physical overcoming of oneself, pain and hard-to-achieve results”. On the other hand, if we take a professional approach, in both traditional and e-sports it’s important to focus on achieving results; so, in this sense, there’s no difference between them.
Tim Schwartmann (Tim Latka) has a similar view: “If young people want to be successful — be it in e-sports or traditional football — they have to work hard, train a lot for the game, and never rest on their laurels”.
Today, many football clubs are developing e-sports as a separate area. “In recent years, the popularity of e-sports has become evident. By investing time and effort into developing e-sports, we hope to establish a dialogue with the younger generation of football fans”, explains Tim Reichert, head of FC Schalke 04’s e-sports division. Reichert expects that self-isolation will accelerate the merging process of traditional and digital sports several-fold. In his opinion, e-sports and traditional sports already have many things in common: league structures, competitions, psychological demands for players, and regular training.
Alexandra Kosteniuk noted that the past months have become a landmark in the history of sport: “The pandemic has opened up a real Pandora’s box for chess players: if earlier, part of our competitions were already being held online, now it’s the most convenient format for both the audience and participants”. As she explains, the pandemic has stimulated an increased interest in online competitions over the past few months, “even in the case of chess, which is not the most popular sport among viewers, not to mention the world of e-sports in general”.
About the programme:
The International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship is implemented by Gazprom since 2013. Over the previous seven seasons, the programme has united over 6 000 participants from 211 countries and regions and over 5 000 000 supporters.
Young Players and Young Journalists are the participants of the programme – boys and girls aged 12 including children with disabilities. Young Players represent different countries and cultures united in the mixed teams. They show that nationality, gender, and physical abilities aren’t a barrier to becoming a team. Young Journalists cover the events of the programme in the International Children’s Press Center. All participants become Young Ambassadors of the programme and continue to share their Football for Friendship experience and promote universal human values: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions, and honour.
UEFA, FIFA, football federations and the world’s leading football clubs, international charity foundations, famous athletes, politicians, and artists support Football for Friendship. The project has received multiple national and international awards in the field of social responsibility, sports, and communications, including the world record for the most nationalities in a football training session in history.
In 2020, Football for Friendship will be held in the online format. A special digital platform will unite over 10 000 players of all ages. It will become the home for international children’s competitions and a playground where anyone will be able to train, join into the international mixed teams and play their favourite game in the Football for Friendship format without leaving the comfort of their home.
Powered by WPeMatico
Latest News
SBC Summit Rio to welcome EDM legend Afrojack as INFINITY headliner, supported by Brazil’s Dubdogz
SBC will light up Rio de Janeiro with the highly anticipated INFINITY Rio party, happening on February 27th at the 2025 edition of SBC Summit Rio.
With Grammy award-winning producer Afrojack at the helm and Brazilian house duo Dubdogz bringing their signature energy, this electrifying event promises an unforgettable night of music and excitement for the event attendees.
“INFINITY was born in Lisbon, where we kicked off our first EDM festival with top-tier DJs; Don Diablo, Miss Monique, and Darude. Now, we’re bringing that momentum to Rio with INFINITY Rio, taking things to a whole new level,” said Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC.
In the gaming industry, connections are everything, and INFINITY Rio will provide a unique platform to meet the game-changers driving progress in Brazil. As an event organizer, SBC is known for elevating attendee experiences with VIP treatment, combining business opportunities with world-class networking. By integrating music and entertainment—longtime inspirations for gaming—into the closing party, SBC will offer an event finale that truly captures the energy of the gaming world.
EDM icon Afrojack rose to stardom with “Take Over Control,” becoming a key figure in the genre. Known for collaborations with Beyoncé, Pitbull, and Will.i.am, his accolades include spots on Rolling Stone’s “50 Most Important People in EDM” and Forbes’ “30 Under 30.” Moreover, the DJ’s 2020 track “All Night” climbed to the top of US dance radio charts and earned over 40 million streams, cementing his reputation as an EDM powerhouse.
Sojmark commented: “Having Afrojack headlining the first INFINITY Rio really shows just how massive SBC Summit Rio is going to be. Our delegates are in for an EDM festival experience that mixes world-class entertainment with top-tier networking.
“To give it that special Brazilian vibe, we’re also bringing in Dubdogz, an incredible homegrown duo that is taking the global scene by storm. We couldn’t miss the chance to showcase Brazil’s own talent at an event that’s all about Brazil!”
Dubdogz, Brazil’s twin sensations Lucas and Marcos Ruback are known for their dynamic blend of Brazilian Bass and House, chart-topping hits and a devoted fanbase. Among the few Brazilian acts on the “DJ Mag Top 100,” they’ve performed at iconic stages like Tomorrowland, EDC, and Ushuaïa Ibiza. Their track “Infinity,” a collaboration with Bhaskar, achieved Double Platinum status and surpassed 126 million Spotify streams.
The Riocentro Super Stage, a fresh addition to SBC Summit Rio, will shed its conference atmosphere to host the party, with Afrojack and Dubdogz setting the tone for the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, starting the next day on the 28th of February.
“We’ve timed SBC Summit Rio 2025 perfectly so attendees can dive into business and then roll straight into the Carnival. With Afrojack and Dubdogz lighting up the stage, the Carnival kickoff is going to be epic,” Sojmark added.
In October, SBC announced superstar DJ Alok as the headliner for the INFINITY party in Rio. However, Alok has had to step down due to personal reasons. The SBC CEO commented: “Unfortunately, Alok won’t be able to join us at SBC Summit Rio 2025 as originally planned due to personal reasons. We’re as disappointed as you are, but these things happen, and we totally understand.
“We’ve worked quickly to ensure the INFINITY Rio party still delivers the electric energy and unforgettable vibe you’re expecting. With Afrojack and Dubdogz taking the stage, we’re confident they’re the perfect replacements to make the night truly spectacular.”
SBC Summit Rio has quickly established itself as the must-attend event for Brazil and has moved to Riocentro, one of Latin America’s largest convention centres, for its 2025 edition. February’s event is projected to attract more than 15,000 attendees.
Alongside this growth, the introduction of the Super Stage will elevate the attendee experience, while the Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit brands—both of which debuted in Lisbon—are set to make their Rio debut.
Curious about Brazil’s biggest betting and iGaming event? Visit the official website for more details. Want to join us at the event and INFINITY Rio? Early Bird tickets are available now at R$2000 ( ~ $550 USD). Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary tickets.
Latest News
FeedConstruct Secures New Partnership with the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA)
FeedConstruct is excited to announce its new Exclusive, Multi-dimensional Partnership with the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), marking a significant collaboration after a one-year pause.
We are entering a new, multi-layered contract with the FFA at this challenging but promising stage, providing a variety of solutions such as audio-visual, data, SaaS, and integrity-focused. The company aims to equip the FFA with the means to develop sports with its innovative solutions and protect from integrity risks.
As part of the partnership, FeedConstruct will secure exclusive video streaming and data rights for the FastEx Armenian Premier League, Armenian Cup, and Armenian Supercup, covering around 190 matches. This agreement reinforces FeedConstruct’s commitment to delivering high-quality, real-time sports data and video content to its partners. Additionally, rich odds data will be provided through FeedConstruct’s BetGuard – a combination of comprehensive Odds Feed and risk management service designed to deliver the highest level of data accuracy and security.
Founded in 1992, the Football Federation of Armenia is the governing body of football in the country and plays a crucial role in shaping Armenia’s football landscape. In this comparatively challenging but promising period for the Football Federation of Armenia, FeedConstruct aims to assist the FFA in protecting the integrity of sport and commercialize exclusive data and video rights for iGaming, global expansion and fan engagement purposes, supporting the federation’s continued success.
The post FeedConstruct Secures New Partnership with the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Bad Hombre Strengthens Platform Efficiency with Greco’s Gameplay Risk Engine
Greco, the leading provider of innovative gameplay risk management solutions, has officially partnered with Bad Hombre Gaming to integrate its cutting-edge Gameplay Risk Engine into Bad Hombre’s advanced gaming and crypto platform.
This strategic partnership will empower Bad Hombre Gaming to strengthen player insights, streamline operational strategies, and optimise risk management across its portfolio of white-label partners.
Bad Hombre is widely recognised for its innovation in the crypto gaming space and its advanced suite of gaming platforms, sportsbooks, and multi-currency financial tools. With Greco’s Gameplay Risk Engine now part of its offering, Bad Hombre Gaming can deliver unparalleled risk management strategies to its partners.
“Integrating Greco’s powerful gameplay risk insights into our platform demonstrates our continued focus on technological innovation and operational efficiency. This partnership enables us to offer enhanced player risk evaluation, improved performance, and better analyse risks,” says Hugh Casey CPO of Bad Hombre Gaming.
Greco’s Gameplay Risk Engine provides operators with real-time insights using theoretical value modelling and behavioural risk analysis, enabling early decision-making to minimise risks, improve player experiences, and cut operational costs.
“Partnering with Bad Hombre Gaming is an exciting step forward. Their innovative approach to gaming aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering cutting-edge risk management solutions. We’re confident this partnership will create significant value for their platform, players, and operational goals,” comments Ozric Vondervelden, Co-Founder and CEO of Greco.
The post Bad Hombre Strengthens Platform Efficiency with Greco’s Gameplay Risk Engine appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Anthony Attard7 days ago
Aquimo Announces First-of-its-kind Partnership with Sportsnet to Bring Interactive Mobile Gaming and Elevated Fan Experiences to Hockey Night in Canada Broadcasts
-
Brazil7 days ago
Salsa Technology is primed for joint IGI Expo and CGS event in Florianópolis
-
Latest News7 days ago
UNLV Announces $15M Gift from Las Vegas Sands to Establish Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture
-
EveryMatrix Press Releases6 days ago
EveryMatrix showcases ‘Everything is possible’ experience across three stands in four days at ICE 2025
-
Asia6 days ago
Delasport Teams Up with Betable Group in UK and Philippines Partnership
-
Balkans6 days ago
Gamanza Games launches in Bulgaria with inbet partnership
-
Latest News6 days ago
Octoplay Goes Live with Svenska Spel Sport&Casino, Expanding Swedish Presence
-
Historical Horse Racing7 days ago
Spectrum Gaming Group Releases US Top 10 Trends to Watch for in 2025