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Children’s sports to defeat pandemic: 2020 Football for Friendship Forum presents most successful projects to support children’s football
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.
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BetConstruct AI Sets the Tone for 2026 iGaming with Harmony Choice Event in Barcelona
Casino Technology
Danny Wu Wins Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament Featuring Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjällby
Danny Wu triumphs at Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament
Cubeia, the Sweden-based iGaming software solutions provider, has announced Danny Wu as the winner of its inaugural ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament, held in partnership with QTech Games. The standout event featured a special table that included Swedish football icons Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjällby, drawing significant attention from ICE attendees.
A high-profile showdown at ICE Barcelona
Hosted on Day 2 at Cubeia’s eye-catching stand, the VIP poker tournament quickly became a focal point of the exhibition floor. Danny Wu emerged victorious after an entertaining and competitive session, taking home the top prize of €1,500.
The table combined serious poker action with relaxed conversation, as players swapped hands and shared football stories, creating an atmosphere that resonated with both poker enthusiasts and industry professionals.
A premium VIP experience
Cubeia elevated the experience with a curated VIP setting, complete with champagne and beer, reinforcing the social and celebratory tone of the event. The lively ambience helped generate buzz throughout the day and showcased Cubeia’s ability to deliver memorable, community-driven activations at major industry events.
Spotlight on Cubeia Originals
Alongside the tournament, visitors explored Cubeia’s Originals portfolio, including upcoming titles such as Chicken Cross Tower, Multiplier Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, and Snakes. The showcase highlighted Cubeia’s commitment to innovative content and engaging game mechanics.
Industry praise
Tove Nilsson, Marketing & Event Coordinator at Cubeia, commented:
“The VIP Poker Tournament exceeded all expectations and was a major highlight of ICE Barcelona. Working with our partners, QTech Games, we delivered a truly premium experience. The atmosphere around the table was exactly what we hoped for — competitive, social, and genuinely fun. Congratulations to Danny on a deserved win, and huge thanks to Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjällby for being such great sports.”
Bringing the industry together
The success of the ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament underlines Cubeia’s strength in creating unique, high-impact experiences that connect partners, players, and visitors. By blending celebrity appeal, quality gameplay, and premium hospitality, Cubeia reinforced its position as a brand that values community and innovation within the iGaming industry.
The post Danny Wu Wins Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament Featuring Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjällby appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
affiliate marketing
N1 Partners Takes Flight in Barcelona: Helicopter Awarded at iGB Affiliate 2026 Finale
The curtains have closed on iGB Affiliate 2026, but the echoes of N1 Partners’ massive presence are still vibrating through the halls of the Fira de Barcelona. After two days of high-stakes networking and over 500 business meetings, the company concluded the event by awarding a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter to the grand winner of the N1 Puzzle Promo.
A Hub of Industry Activity
From January 20 to 21, the N1 Partners stand (80-C80) served as a primary nervous system for the expo floor. The team maintained a relentless pace, facilitating hundreds of discussions regarding traffic strategies and custom deals.
Beyond the boardroom-style meetings, the stand offered a more interactive “Plinko” activity and distributed over 300 branded merchandise packs, ensuring the N1 brand remained visible across the entire conference.
Media Spotlight and Thought Leadership
The company’s influence extended beyond the booth, with leadership participating in more than 10 interviews and podcasts. These sessions focused on sustainable growth within the iGaming sector and evolving affiliate expectations, further solidifying N1 Partners’ reputation as a transparent and performance-driven program.
The Grand Finale: A Night to Remember
The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the N1 Puzzle Promo Party, an exclusive, closed-format celebration that saw over 2,000 registrations. While only 600 guests could be accommodated, the venue was packed with the industry’s top decision-makers and affiliates.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch as the winners of the N1 Puzzle Promo leaderboard were announced:
| Rank | Partner Name |
| 1st Place (Helicopter Winner) | Cash Splash |
| 2nd Place | Advertise |
| 3rd Place | Traffic Squad |
| 4th Place | Seven Group |
| 5th Place | Alfaleads Network |
The evening concluded with a live performance from a surprise headline guest and high-energy DJ sets, marking the successful end of a campaign that was recently named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards.
The post N1 Partners Takes Flight in Barcelona: Helicopter Awarded at iGB Affiliate 2026 Finale appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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