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Children’s sports to defeat pandemic: 2020 Football for Friendship Forum presents most successful projects to support children’s football

Published

5 years ago

December 8, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Over 25 successful projects to adapt children’s football to the 2020 pandemic were presented during the Eighth International Forum, which was held on November 30 – December 3 as part of the Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship.

The International Football for Friendship Forum was held for the 8th year in a row, for the first time in the online format. The Forum is a unique platform for exchanging views on the development of children’s football in various countries around the world. At the Forum, coaches, athletes, public figures, and heads of sports organisations identify the best practices for supporting children’s sports and discuss the most effective ways to promote the key values of Football for Friendship in the world. The best practices are published with open access and become the basis for the free courses of the Football for Friendship Coaches Academy.

“Football is a social game that teaches important values. These include respect, honesty, fairness and devotion to a set task”, pointed out Frank Ludolph, UEFA Head of Football Education Services, Head of the Expert Council of the 2020 International Football for Friendship Award. “The idea behind Football for Friendship is to promote innovation in online learning, emphasize the social role of football and promote local community building to inspire more children around the world”.

In 2020, projects include successful application of organising online classes using video communication services, messengers, and social media. The SLSFA Sri Lanka Schools Football Association and the Sri Lanka Ministry of Education presented an online concept of competitions and contests for children of all age groups. The Brazilian Football Confederation launched several social projects, including those aimed at training goalkeepers, providing social services, and supporting a highly active lifestyle during the pandemic-related period of self-isolation. In total, over 100 football academies and federations submitted applications to participate in the Football for Friendship Forum. Projects were presented in the following nominations:

Changing the World: Educational Activities
Stadium Is Where I Am: Improving Football Skills
Earth is a Ball: Providing Football to Everyone
Driving the Planet: Building Football Community

All the projects were evaluated by the International Expert Council, which included world experts in the field of football education: Frank Ludolph, Germany, UEFA Head of Football Education Services, Head of the Expert Council of the 2020 International Football for Friendship Award; Pablo Cesar Torres, Uruguay, President of Youth Football and Scouting at Club Atlético Peñarol, Mike Puig, Spain, CEO of the Soccer Barcelona Youth Academy; and three Football for Friendship Young Ambassadors: Ananya Kamboj, India, Mohammad Yusuf Moazzam, Pakistan, and Sheqayli Ascencion, Aruba.

For the first time in the history of the world football movement, children assessed “adult” projects on equal terms.

“All the projects followed the values of Football for Friendship. And each of them has benefited children in uncertain conditions due to the coronavirus pandemic”, noted 15-year-old football player Yusuf Moazzam, a member of the jury, Young Ambassador from Pakistan. “Judging several projects at the international level was amazing, I really enjoyed it!”

All the projects presented at the International Football for Friendship Forum are open to the public on the programme’s official website https://footballforfriendship.com/experts-forum/. Those who initiated the projects hope that the best practices will be replicated in different countries, benefiting as many children around the world as possible.

On December 9, during the live broadcast of the 2020 Football for Friendship Season final, the best projects in the four nominations will be announced and given the Football for Friendship Award.

1spin4win

1spin4win partners with OdiBets to strengthen its presence in Africa

Published

27 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

1spin4win-partners-with-odibets-to-strengthen-its-presence-in-africa

For the studio, the collaboration marks another step in expanding across Africa. Between the end of 2024 and the end of 2025, 1spin4win increased the number of partnerships in the region by 1.7 times, significantly cementing its local position.

The deal comes at a time of strong growth for the African iGaming industry. According to H2 Gambling Capital, the region’s sports betting and iGaming market could reach $22bn in GGR by 2029, highlighting significant opportunities for operators and providers looking to scale their international reach.

Through the agreement, 1spin4win’s portfolio of more than 200 classic online slots will become available to OdiBets players. The provider’s content is well-suited to local audiences, combining simple gameplay, recognizable mechanics such as Hold and Win, and timeless fruit- and coin-based formats. Additionally, the studio’s titles are optimized for mobile devices, ensuring fast load times and uninterrupted gameplay even on weaker internet connections.

Founded in 2018, OdiBets has grown into a major name in East Africa, offering sports betting and casino entertainment through a clear, user-friendly platform. The operator is known for its focus on responsible gambling, accessible player experience, and strong customer support.

Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win, shared, “Teaming with OdiBets is an exciting opportunity for 1spin4win to introduce our classic portfolio to broader audiences across African markets. We believe our straightforward, mobile-friendly slots are a strong match for players who value reliable, clear, and engaging gameplay.”

Benedict M, Country Marketing Manager at OdiBets added, “At OdiBets, we are always looking to bring our players the very best in gaming content, and partnering with 1spin4win is a natural step in that journey. Their dedication to crafting high-quality, immersive slot experiences aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver world-class entertainment to players across Africa. We are excited about what this partnership means for our platform and even more excited for our players to get their hands on what we are building together.”

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

The post 1spin4win partners with OdiBets to strengthen its presence in Africa appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Eastern Europe

Soft2Bet launches Zinx iGaming and sportsbook brand in Romania

Published

27 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

Soft2Bet has launched Zinx in Romania, rolling out a new digital platform that combines online casino content and sports betting for local players.

Soft2Bet said Zinx was built with localisation in mind, with product design and marketing tailored to Romanian player preferences. The company positioned the brand around “safe, transparent play,” but did not share launch timing beyond the announcement or provide performance targets.

The platform includes a retention mechanic called MEGA Round, a prize-wheel feature integrated into Soft2Bet’s MEGA gamification engine. Soft2Bet said players can earn spins through deposits, with prizes awarded at random.

Yoel Zuckerberg, CPO at Soft2Bet, stated, “With Zinx, we are bringing an incredibly competitive and relevant digital product to Romania, perfectly balancing thrilling, electric gameplay with safe and transparent operations. Our powerful dragon mascot and the innovative MEGA Round gamification engine help define the Zinx experience across both casino and sports betting. We are confident Zinx will set a new benchmark for Romanian players seeking a modern, diverse and secure entertainment platform.”

Soft2Bet said the Romania launch supports its broader strategy of building localised iGaming brands that combine product features with targeted local marketing.

The post Soft2Bet launches Zinx iGaming and sportsbook brand in Romania appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.