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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.
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Conferences in Europe
HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress 2025 Marks Record Attendance and Announces Marek Plota as Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit
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The 2025 edition of the European Gaming Congress (EGC) closed its doors in Warsaw with record-breaking attendance, a strengthened industry footprint, and an announcement that marks a new chapter for HIPTHER’s European expansion: in 2026, EGC officially evolves into the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit with renowned legal expert Marek Plota appointed as its first Ambassador.
Held across two content-rich stages – the Compliance & Operations Lad and the TechXperience Stage – alongside the hands-on HIPTHER Academy Workshops, EGC 2025 delivered its most ambitious program to date. Attendance has now tripled compared to its reintroduction in 2023, establishing Warsaw as one of the most dynamic conversation hubs for gaming, compliance, and tech in Europe.
A European Outlook With Global Relevance
The Compliance & Operations Lab brought together regulators, lawyers, and industry specialists for a panoramic review of the evolving European ecosystem. Discussions spanned the Polish market’s legal framework, cross-border compliance from Paris to Berlin, key CEE territories, the Czech Republic and Romania, and an outlook on emerging priorities in the Baltics. Experts also explored global trends with a timely update on several LATAM jurisdictions.
A highlight of the Agenda was the IMGL Masterclass – “Regulators, Legislators, and the Power of One Voice: A Legal Strategy for Industry Unity” – which explored the future of collaborative governance and harmonization.
Fintech, taxation, licensing, and responsible gaming standards added essential layers to a program designed to help operators and suppliers navigate an increasingly interconnected regulatory landscape.
Tech, Innovation, and the Human Factor
On the TechXperience Stage, conversations shifted to the future:
– AI for competitive advantage
– The evolution of esports and startup innovation
– AEO & SEO trends redefining discoverability
– Personalization and the new player journey
– Cyber resilience in iGaming
– Strategic Event Preparation in B2B PR, Marketing & BizDev
These sessions brought together marketing leaders, technologists, founders, and innovators across iGaming, fintech, digital entertainment, and cybersecurity, underlining Warsaw’s emerging status as a cross-industry meeting point in Europe.
A Key Voice: Marek Plota’s Impactful Participation
Throughout the Congress, Marek Plota – Founding Attorney at RM Legal & Gaming in Poland – played a leading role as both moderator and speaker. His contributions spanned Poland’s gambling framework, European lessons for CEE markets, and strategic taxation and licensing standards. He also brought legal depth to the IMGL Masterclass, adding critical clarity to one of the most pressing topics for operators in the region.
Marek’s widely respected presence across national and international gaming markets, combined with his years-long collaboration with HIPTHER as panelist, moderator, sponsor, and advisor, made this year’s Congress a natural moment to formalize the partnership.
Introducing the Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit
HIPTHER is proud to announce Marek Plota as the Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit, beginning with the 2026 edition.
In his own words: “It’s a real honor to serve as an ambassador for the Hipther Warsaw Summit and the European Gaming Congress. My collaboration with Zoltan Tundik and the Hipther team goes back many years as a panelist, moderator, sponsor, and above all, as a friend. These events are truly unique in the global gaming and gambling conference calendar — intimate, insightful, and refreshingly personal. Unlike the vast expos, Hipther events give people a genuine chance to meet, talk, and exchange ideas without walking 50,000 steps from one meeting to another. We are already looking forward to the next editions and to working together to make these conferences a true must-have for everyone in the industry.”
Marek is a founder and a head of the legal team at RM Legal Law Firm and Gaming In Poland, jointly providing multidisciplinary and multijurisdictional support for leading international gambling operators in the Polish, European Union, and African markets. His gambling practice includes regulatory support at the pre and post-licensing stage, IT, and taxation services, as well as the unique service of performing a function of a gambling representative. RM Legal is the only law firm in Poland representing offshore companies operating legally in the Polish gambling market. Apart from gambling Marek specializes in corporate commercial law and international investment projects.
A New Era for Warsaw, Europe, and the Global Market
The transition from EGC to the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit marks a strategic evolution with HIPTHER enhancing the region’s growing importance: Poland now stands as a crossroads of regulatory influence, iGaming innovation, and international market expansion – connecting Western Europe, CEE, and fast-emerging global markets, from Africa to LATAM.
In 2026, the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit will continue shaping the conversations and connections that define the future of gaming and tech.
HIPTHER looks forward to welcoming the industry back to Warsaw next year for an even bigger, more influential, and more globally connected event – assisted by the expertise and vision of its new Ambassador.
The post HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress 2025 Marks Record Attendance and Announces Marek Plota as Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asensi Technologies
Asensi Technologies Obtains Accreditation as an Online Gaming Laboratory in Malta
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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has officially recognized Asensi Technologies as a System and Compliance Audit Service Provider, thereby granting the company authorization to conduct technical audits (System Audits) and regulatory compliance reviews (Compliance Audits) on online gaming systems operating under Maltese jurisdiction.
Following a rigorous accreditation process, Asensi Technologies expands its international presence and demonstrates its ability to meet the demands of a sector that is constantly growing and evolving.
“Malta, one of the leading international hubs for the online gaming industry, represents a strategic step in the company’s global expansion,” states Teté Asensi, CEO of the company.
“This recognition is particularly gratifying as it strengthens our position as a specialized laboratory for the evaluation and certification of online gaming systems in a key market such as Malta, and reflects further confidence in our work,” she adds.
Since its accreditation in 2017 by the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) as an authorized laboratory in Spain, Asensi Technologies has maintained a strong commitment to technical excellence and regulatory compliance, earning recognition on numerous occasions as one of the best service providers in the sector within the country.
Over the past year, the company has embarked on an international expansion process, achieving official accreditation from MINCETUR to operate in Peru, recognition from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Kahnawake, and now this milestone in Malta, where it expects to replicate the positive results already recorded in the three jurisdictions where it currently operates.
CEO Teté Asensi highlights the significance of obtaining these accreditations and international recognition for a company like Asensi Technologies: “We are extremely proud of this new achievement. We are a boutique laboratory undergoing rapid expansion thanks to a highly qualified and committed team capable of offering a close and personalized approach to our clients, accompanying them throughout their processes with tailored solutions that meet their needs. This milestone reflects and acknowledges all our effort and dedication,” she concludes.
The post Asensi Technologies Obtains Accreditation as an Online Gaming Laboratory in Malta appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Max Level, a leading marketing and PR agency built by gamers, has been appointed as the official PR and communications partner for LVL Zero, a first-of-its-kind incubator program spearheaded by ChimeraVC in partnership with MIXI Global Investments and Nazara Technologies. The initiative aims to accelerate the growth of early-stage gaming startups in India through a 100-day structured program combining mentorship, product acceleration and capital access.
LVL Zero offers an equity-free grant pool worth USD 100,000, open to all startups across the gaming ecosystem. Each cohort will see 10 startups receive a USD 10,000 equity-free grant. The program is designed to help startups accelerate product development through targeted mentorship, access to funding opportunities, and connections with publishing networks. Over the next five years, LVL Zero aims to empower more than 100 promising startups to build sustainable businesses and compete globally.
Speaking on the partnership, Krish Anurag, Managing Partner at ChimeraVC and Founding Partner at LVL Zero said: “LVL Zero is our commitment to catalysing the next generation of gaming founders from India and Asia. We’re thrilled to have Max Level on board as our communications partner. Their deep understanding of the gaming ecosystem, narrative expertise, and proven network within the media landscape make them the ideal agency to help us amplify this initiative and the founders who will shape the future of gaming.”
As the PR and communications partner for LVL Zero, Max Level will lead the initiative’s storytelling and thought leadership strategy, spotlighting the success stories emerging from each cohort to highlight the program’s impact on the gaming startup ecosystem. With a proven track record as the communications partner for some of India’s leading gaming and esports brands, including NODWIN Gaming, S8UL Esports, Riot Games, and CyberPowerPC India, Max Level brings deep industry insight, strategic narrative expertise, and an authentic understanding of the gaming community to help LVL Zero achieve its vision and amplify its influence across the region.
Siddharth Nayyar, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Max Level, added: “LVL Zero is an incredible incubator program for gaming startups in India, and we’re excited to help tell its story. The program is perfectly aligned with our mission to support the growth of India’s gaming and creator economy, and we look forward to driving awareness around the founders, ideas, and innovations emerging from LVL Zero’s cohorts.”
In addition to PR and communications, Max Level provides gaming and esports brands with an array of services, including campaign management, brand building, production, video editing, social media marketing, influencer programs, and consultancy. The agency’s portfolio spans leading names such as NODWIN Gaming, S8UL, Riot Games India and South Asia, CyberPowerPC India, KRAFTON, the Saudi Esports Federation, ESL FACEIT Group, The Esports World Cup, ASUS ROG, Jio Games, TVS, and HyperX, among others.
This partnership marks another milestone in Max Level’s mission to power narratives that elevate India’s gaming, esports, and tech ecosystem globally.
The post Max Level wins PR & Communications mandate for LVL Zero Gaming Incubator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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