eSports
Qatar’s Aspire Zone Foundation and Russia’s ESforce Holding signed a memorandum of cooperation at SPIEF 202
Qatar’s leading global sports center, the Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF), and the Russian esports holding ESforce have signed a Memorandum of strategic cooperation. The signing took place at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum-2021 (SPIEF-2021), where Qatar acts as a guest country, with the support of the sports marketing agency QR Sports (part of the Qatari-Russian Cooperation Center group, QRCC).
Qatar’s AZF and Russia’s ESforce intend to cooperate in the development of the esports industry in Russia and Qatar: to hold joint events and exchange expertise in the organization of projects.
Mohammed Khalifa Al-Suwaidi, CEO of the Aspire Zone Foundation:
“AZF’s sports leadership has been built through a unique combination of comprehensive services and programs. In addition, Aspire Zone is the most integrated sports city in the world. AZF is always at the center of events, as it not only supports the country’s sports ambitions, but also contributes to the development of sports around the world. We are ready to share our experience”.
The Aspire Zone Foundation is based in Qatar and specializes in providing some of the world’s best sports stadiums and venues, sports medicine, research, and education to the international sports industry. It was created by the Emir’s decree on January 11, 2008 as a part of three organizations: Aspire Academy, Aspetar and Aspire Logistics. Having grown significantly since its inception as a project of The Sports City in 2003, the international sports destination was renamed the Aspire Zone in 2006. This date is significant in the history of the AZF, as the foundation gained international recognition by becoming the center of the 2006 Asian Games, where more than 200 events with intense competition were held over 15 days.
Sergey Barkhudarian, Commercial Director at ESforce Holding: “We are pleased to strengthen our position in the international market and gain new opportunities in the framework of cooperation with the Aspire Zone Foundation. The exchange of experience between experts of major players from different countries will work for the development of the esports industry around the world, and the next level of technological projects will appear in esports”.
“This step will bring a great opportunity and mutual benefit for both countries in the field of esports,” said Kirill Lata, Head of QR Sports.
eSports
IESF and ITTI Open Applications for Scholarships in Esports Management
The International Esports Federation (IESF) and the International Institute of Technology and Innovation (ITTI) are thrilled to announce the launch of the IESF x ITTI Scholarships, an initiative designed to empower the next generation of Esports leaders. This scholarship program brings together the industryâs best resources to select young talent ready to make their mark in Esports management and gaming.
Four scholarships are available for promising students who will join ITTIâs Masterâs in Esports Management and Gaming program. This scholarship opportunity opens on November 4, 2024, and closes on November 20, 2024. The project is also part of IESF and Busan Cityâs World Esports R&D Center Program, supporting education and development in the Esports industry.
Scholarship Allocation:
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One student who is a Resident of Busan, aged 18 – 24.
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Three international students, aged 18-24.
How to Apply:
Open to applicants aged 18 to 24, the program invites candidates to submit a completed application form and an introduction video addressing specific questions about their goals, interests, and vision for Esports. With support from NASEF, IESFâs educational partner, the selection committee will evaluate each applicantâs creativity, dedication to Esports, and unique ideas to shape the industry.
Applicants can access the Application Form and should complete both the form and video submission by the deadline.Â
The IESF x ITTI Scholarships offer a great path into Esports management, and recipients will gain access to ITTIâs advanced curriculum designed to equip students for impactful roles in Esports. We invite all eligible young enthusiasts to apply and join this exciting journey with us. Letâs help shape the future of Esports!
eSports
SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Doubles Esports Turnover in Q3 2024
1 November 2024 â Esports has experienced explosive growth in Q3 2024, doubling turnover compared to the previous quarter. The average bet on cybersports increased by 17.6% quarter-on-quarter. SOFTSWISS, a global tech expert with over 15 years of experience providing innovative iGaming solutions, shares the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Q3 2024 report.
The top five sports by Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) remain consistent: Football, Tennis, Basketball, Table Tennis, and eFootball. For the second consecutive quarter, eFootball has outperformed Counter-Strike 2, indicating a shifting interest within the esports sector. Nevertheless, football continues to dominate, contributing nearly half of the total GGR.
The average live bet grew by 10% quarter-on-quarter, a positive development for operators as live bets hold 78.6% of turnover. The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team is actively enhancing the live betting experience, aiming to capitalise on this trend and provide operators with even greater revenue opportunities.
The average bet grew by 9.7% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2024, and the number of bets increased by 18.7%. GGR saw a modest growth of 1.5% quarter-on-quarter.
Despite the large number of projects launched for the UEFA Euro 2024, month-on-month statistics show that with the right promotional strategies, projects continue to operate successfully even after such massive events.Â
Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, adds: âAligning a launch with a major sporting event can be a successful strategy, but football is not the only sport that can be leveraged in this way. The growth of cybersports presents new opportunities; for specialised projects targeting specific audiences, esports events can also serve as an effective starting point.Â
We continuously focus on product growth and development, enhancing features and user experience to drive further engagement and profitability for our partners.â
The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is expanding its global presence. The product team is on track to secure certification in Brazil, conducted by an authorised testing laboratory. Furthermore, for the South African market, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook has recently integrated a Horse Racing Module. This addition offers operators new business opportunities by covering over 2,400 international and local races monthly. The solution engages players with race cards, silks, and multiple bet types while providing operators unique skins and configurations to align with various brand identities.
The SOFTSWISS team is working on The iGaming Trends Report 2025, which offers a deep dive into key industry developments based on over 50,000 media headlines and insights from industry experts. Covering areas like regulation, marketing, technology, and business growth, this report provides a data-driven perspective on the trends shaping the upcoming year. The SOFTSWISS team shares the possibility of joining the waiting list.
All SOFTSWISS products will be showcased at the final major industry event, SiGMA Europe, at stand 2145.
eSports
Procedure to be followed by school clubs affiliating for the 2025 season
Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), founded in 1984, is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, and Wargames.
MSSA promotes all the different disciplines equally, although each school may pick-and-choose which discipline it wishes to promote at its school. Some schools will promote the whole gambit, while others will concentrate on only one discipline, and/or even just concentrate on one specific title.
The choice is ultimately up to the school.
MSSA has sent teams with full Protea Colours to international events since 1991 for wargames, 1996 for Morabaraba, 1997 for Checkers, and 2005 for Esports. Many members of the national teams have been scholars, and all have benefited from their involvement in the national Protea Team.Â
There is still the option open for a school to start a full-blown sub-club on its premises, but bearing in mind the tight regulatory conditions under which accredited schools have to operate in the Republic, the MSSA no longer deems it necessary for a school to start a sub-club.
As long as the school club has the approval of the school, and has an Educator-in-Charge, a school may affiliate by merely completing the Application for Affiliation Form and submitting such to MSSA.
Advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club: There are many advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club, such as:
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Being part of a community where your club has a real say in how things are done
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Being able to apply for National Lottery Funding â MSSA member clubs can apply for up to R800,000.00 in funding
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Being able to get assistance from your local government
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Experience increased media exposure of your events and your gamers
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Become part of the international community through the MSSA Registered players are able to become internationally recognised umpires, etc.
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Enable your gamers to take part in MSSA events, which may qualify them for Regional, Provincial, and National colours, overseas trips, and even sports bursaries at university.
- Private clubs:Â one vote per every five registered players, and
- School clubs: one vote per every ten registered players.
MSSAâs General Regulations  Â
The General Regulations comprises of decisions made by both Council and Executive Committee Meetings. The General Regulations deals with how sub-committees operate as well as to how teams are selected and development funding is distributed. Â Please refer to Schedule 10.12 in regard to the rights of clubs in hosting events.
MSSAâs Discipline Specific Regulations  Â
The Discipline Specific Regulations deal with rules concerning the different disciplines. The Disciplines that the MSSA caters for are; Board Gaming, Card gaming, Esports, and Figure Gaming.
When a club applies for membership, the applicant club must complete such form and return the same to the MSSA.Fee note for 2025
The fee note details the Affiliation Fees and Registration fees that are payable.
Player Registration Form  Â
The Player Registration Form needs to be completed by every player that is a member of a club and intends to participate in MSSA affairs.
MSSAâs Letter of Undertaking  Â
The Letter of Undertaking is for all registered players who sit on any MSSA committee.
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