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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

6 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.

Latest News

WinSpirit Launches Alchemy of Passion: A Birthday Campaign Combining Gamification, Rewards, and Player Engagement

Published

20 minutes ago

June 30, 2026

Master Editor

This summer, WinSpirit celebrates its birthday with Alchemy of Passion, a large-scale promotional campaign designed to create deeper player engagement through gamification, storytelling, and immersive rewards.

Built around the concept of discovering the legendary Elixir of Passion, the campaign transforms traditional promotional mechanics into an interactive journey. Players are invited to collect ingredients, complete quests, unlock rewards, and explore new experiences — turning every spin and action into part of a larger adventure.

Throughout the campaign, players can access multiple engagement features, including the Gift Portal, Gift Shop, Mystery Elixirs, quests, tournaments, and exclusive bonuses created specifically for the celebration.

From a product perspective, Alchemy of Passion highlights WinSpirit’s approach to developing creative promotional solutions that help operators increase player interaction, strengthen loyalty, and deliver memorable brand experiences. By combining narrative-driven mechanics with rewarding gameplay elements, the campaign provides partners with a flexible engagement tool designed to support retention and long-term player relationships.

The campaign also reflects WinSpirit’s continued investment in innovation, exploring new ways to connect entertainment, technology, and player-focused experiences within the iGaming ecosystem.

This birthday celebration is WinSpirit’s way of thanking the community that continues to shape the brand. Instead of simply marking another milestone, the company is creating new opportunities for players to interact, discover rewards, and celebrate together.

While Alchemy of Passion is already live, another major experience is being prepared behind the scenes. Soon, players and partners will get their first look at Euphoria Lab — a brand-new concept designed to bring an entirely new level of engagement.

The celebration has begun. The formula continues to evolve, and the next chapter is about to unfold.

Beyond Bancard

SCCG Management Partners with Beyond Bancard to Bring Full-Service Payment Processing to the Global Gambling Industry

Published

49 minutes ago

June 30, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

sccg-management-partners-with-beyond-bancard-to-bring-full-service-payment-processing-to-the-global-gambling-industry

SCCG Management, a global advisory firm specializing in the gambling and sports entertainment industries, has announced a strategic partnership with Beyond Bancard, a full-service payment processing company headquartered in Orange, California. The partnership positions SCCG as Beyond Bancard’s market representation and business development channel into the gaming, sports betting, tribal gaming, and regulated entertainment sectors.

Beyond Bancard provides credit and debit card processing, POS systems, payment gateways, and merchant services to businesses across retail, e-commerce, live events, hospitality, B2B, and high-compliance verticals. The company serves thousands of merchants nationwide and holds PCI Level 1 compliance, the highest standard for payment security and has built a reputation for solving complex payment challenges in markets where compliance, scalability, and reliability are critical.

Under the partnership, SCCG will deploy its commercial network, media footprint, and industry relationships to identify, qualify, and introduce gaming and entertainment operators to Beyond Bancard’s payment processing platform. Target verticals include tribal casino operators, commercial casino groups, online gambling operators covering sports betting, online lottery, and online casino, sweepstakes platforms, sports entertainment companies, and other regulated-industry merchants that require compliant payment infrastructure.

“Payment processing is the connective tissue of every gaming operation, and most operators are underserved when it comes to finding processors who understand the compliance requirements of this industry. Beyond Bancard brings a mature infrastructure, a strong compliance posture, and real experience working with high-volume merchants. That is exactly the kind of partner our network needs.”

Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO, SCCG Management

SCCG’s engagement with Beyond Bancard spans four service areas: industry network access and lead generation, marketing and content distribution, event sponsorship and activation, and strategic advisory on market positioning within the gaming vertical. Beyond Bancard will be featured across SCCG’s marketing channels, including the SCCG Weekly Newsletter, which reaches over 26,000 gambling industry professionals, LinkedIn amplification through Stephen Crystal’s professional network, and targeted thought-leadership content.

Beyond Bancard will also participate as a named sponsor of SCCG’s 5th Annual G2E Party on September 29, 2026 at Tom’s Watch Bar in Las Vegas, providing branding visibility and direct networking access to SCCG’s invite list of gaming industry executives and decision-makers.

“The gaming industry requires payment partners that understand far more than transaction processing. Operators need scalable infrastructure, strong banking relationships, sophisticated risk management, seamless pay-in and payout capabilities, and a deep understanding of regulatory compliance. SCCG has built one of the most respected networks in gaming, and we’re excited to partner with their team to bring our payment solutions to operators around the world. Together, we believe we can help gaming businesses navigate complexity, optimize payment performance, and unlock new growth opportunities.”

Jimmy Virk, Chief Executive Officer, Beyond Bancard

The partnership reflects a growing need among gaming operators for payment processing partners who can navigate the compliance, risk management, and regulatory demands of the gambling industry. Beyond Bancard’s experience across high-compliance verticals, combined with SCCG’s established operator network and market intelligence, creates a direct commercial pathway between operators seeking compliant payment infrastructure and a proven processing partner.

About SCCG Management

SCCG Management is a global advisory firm with more than 33 years of experience connecting clients to strategic partners across the gambling industry. With an ecosystem of over 130 gaming-related partner companies, SCCG provides market representation, business development, capital introductions, and managed services to operators, technology providers, and brands worldwide. For more information, visit sccgmanagement.com.

About Beyond Bancard

Beyond Bancard is a leading payment and merchant services company based in Orange, California. The company provides payment processing, POS technology, payment gateways, and risk management services to businesses across retail, e-commerce, hospitality, gaming, B2B, and highly regulated industries. With a focus on innovation, compliance, and long-term partnerships, Beyond Bancard helps businesses navigate complex payment environments while delivering secure, scalable, and reliable payment solutions. The company maintains PCI Level 1 compliance and operates as a registered ISO/MSP of Esquire Bank, Merrick Bank, and Mission Valley Bank. For more information, visit beyondbancard.com.

The post SCCG Management Partners with Beyond Bancard to Bring Full-Service Payment Processing to the Global Gambling Industry appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Conferences

Groove confirms iGB L!VE 2026 attendance in London

Published

3 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

groove-confirms-igb-l!ve-2026-attendance-in-london

Aggregator and platform provider says it will bring a full commercial delegation to ExCeL on 1-2 July.

Groove has confirmed it will attend iGB L!VE 2026, running 1-2 July at ExCeL London. The company said it will bring a full commercial delegation to meet operators and affiliates.

The supplier positions the event as a key mid-year deal-making moment. Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Groove, said: “iGB L!VE is the industry’s mid-year performance review. It is where conversations become commercial realities. We are bringing our most advanced platform yet, designed to help operators launch fast, adapt locally, and scale across complex regulatory environments.”

Meltzer also pointed to seasonality and content breadth, adding: “The timing is critical. With the European football season revenue peak approaching, operators need a partner who delivers structural resilience and content that performs. Groove delivers exactly that. Our 20,000+ games from 150+ providers, unified through a single API, give partners the agility they need to capture momentum and convert it into measurable growth.”

Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove, said: “iGB L!VE is where the industry’s most ambitious decision-makers converge. We are not here to hand out brochures. We are here to have conversations that turn into performance.” She added: “Every meaningful partnership starts with a conversation, and this event is where those conversations happen at scale. Whether it is emerging affiliates seeking new opportunities, established operators evaluating MarTech solutions, or startups seeking investor visibility through the iGB Startup Accelerator, Groove is positioned to deliver exactly what they need: speed, stability, and commercial precision.”

Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove, who will lead the company’s presence on the show floor, said: “We are arriving with a clear objective: to forge strategic partnerships that unlock new markets and drive sustainable growth. Our platform’s modular architecture, combined with advanced player engagement tools and real-time analytics, gives operators a genuine competitive edge.”

The post Groove confirms iGB L!VE 2026 attendance in London appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.