Asia
China Sports In The Spotlight As 1.1 Million Viewers Tune In To Sports Connects!
Over 200 sports industry executives from mainland China and around the world were at Mission Hills Resort in Shenzhen, southern China this week for the return of ‘Sports Connects’.
Leading Chinese media and tech firms including Tencent, Weibo Sports, Wanda Sports, SECA, China Sports Media, Netease and Gemdale joined international counterparts on stage from NBA, NFL, WTA, The R&A, AEG, New Zealand Rugby, Hong Kong Rugby Union, Visa, AIA, UBS, Bose and more.
Highlights of the three-day China Sports Forum included three major golf announcements, a live stream to 1.1 million viewers and fun networking including a Golf Day and Bowling Night.
Tenniel Chu, Group Vice-Chairman of Mission Hills said: “This was another important gathering for the China sports industry, one which we hope to make a fixed annual event. At a sensitive time for international relations, it is important for our industry to come together and demonstrate how sport can create friendships, bridge divides and unite cultures.”
Jasper Donat, CEO of organisers Branded commented: “With a truly bilingual programme and 50 percent of attendees from mainland China, we achieved our objective of bringing together an impressive mix of domestic and international stakeholders from the world of sport. With 35 high-quality speakers also in attendance and some key topics addressed, this was another milestone appointment for the China sports industry.”
Features of the programme included:
▪ Two golf announcements from Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, including a new golf scholarship programme in China with Mission Hills and SECA, plus a new Rules of Golf app in Chinese
▪ A third major golf announcement from PGA of America’s Head of Global and Corporate Strategy, Arjun Chowdri that the first PGA of America Golf Academies in China will be launched in Shenzhen and Hainan as part of a multiyear partnership with Mission Hills
▪ A live-streaming session with global sports media property, the ONE Championship – featuring heavyweight world champion Brandon Vera – that attracted 1.1 million live views
▪ Regular references to the buzzword “Springtime” when describing the emerging nature of the China sports industry, including Eddy Liu, CEO of Gemdale Sports who is bringing the WTA tennis finals to Shenzhen starting in 2019
▪ A keynote interview with Derek Chang, CEO of NBA China which explored the potential growth of one of China’s most popular spectator sports with 38 million followers on Weibo Sports alone and a new Bytedance partnership announcement announced that day
▪ Case studies on sports sponsorship from high-level executives at AIA, Bose, UBS and Visa
▪ Insights into China’s leading role in the rise of esports from Tencent, Netease and Culture Group
▪ Round-table sessions with iSportConnects, Mass Participation Asia and Weibo Sports, with Zhou Tianyi of Weibo Sports reporting 3.2 billion video plays during the 2018 Winter Olympics
▪ A study on international sports coming into China with the NFL, WTA, New Zealand Rugby, Hong Kong Rugby and Genius Sports
▪ A look at the shortage of high quality “city defining” venues in Asia, according to AEG Asia, KPMG and Wanda Sports
With a bowling night at Mission Hills Centreville and golf day also on the agenda, delegates had plenty of opportunity to enjoy the facilities at Mission Hills Shenzhen, one of two luxury Mission Hills resorts spanning 40 square kilometres and 22 golf courses, making it the world’s largest golf facility.
Sports Connects, the China Sports Forum was presented by Weibo Sports, ONE Championship, Mission Hills China, Mailman, and Branded and was sponsored by KPMG, Culture Group and Genius Sports.
About Branded:
Producers of “It’s a Girl Thing”, “Sports Connects”, “Tencent Music Connects”, the YouTube FanFest and “Matters” series of events including Music, Sports, Gaming and Digital Matters, Branded designs, sells, markets and produces award winning B2B2C and B2B2F(an) events in Asia Pacific. Founded in 2002 and listed as a top 10 Event Marketing agency by Marketing Magazine, Branded connects people through the organisation, programming and production of dynamic conferences, live music festivals, academies, and youth fan events. Branded was acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network in 2018.
About Mission Hills Group:
Mission Hills Group, owner and operator of Mission Hills resorts in the heart of the Pearl River Delta and on the tropical island of Hainan, is synonymous with leisure, wellness, entertainment and luxury.
Founded in 1992, Mission Hills is recognised as one of the world’s leading golf brands and a pioneer in China’s hospitality, sports and leisure industry. The world- class integrated leisure and wellness resort destinations have been accredited by the Guinness World Records as the “World’s Largest Golf Club” and the “World’s Largest Mineral Springs and Spa Resort”.
Mission Hills’ properties sprawl over 40 square kilometres, including 22 championship courses, five-star resorts, award-winning spas and volcanic mineral springs, international convention centres, state-of-the-art golf academies, a 20-pitch football training base, Asia’s largest basketball school and Asia’s biggest tennis facility.
The Group’s ‘golf and more’ leisure philosophy has seen its tourism-related business expand into shopping, recreational, business, education, entertainment, leisure and cultural experiences. Mission Hills has also extended its foray into the hospitality industry by partnering with world-renowned hotel brands Hard Rock, Renaissance and Ritz-Carlton.
Other significant projects include Movie Town, China’s first Wet’n’Wild water park and ground-breaking partnerships with FC Barcelona, NBA and the PGA of America.
Asia
Goa Introduces an Entirely Online Lottery Platform
In a move towards modernising India’s lottery sector, the state of Goa has introduced an entirely online lottery platform, sanctioned by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries. This initiative, known as Great Goa Games, aims to bring transparency and convenience to an industry that has long grappled with allegations of mismanagement and fraud.
Ticket sales commenced Monday, with the inaugural draw set for Sunday. Rhiti Group, led by founder Arun Pandey, was granted the license to operate and market the platform. “Our mission is to democratize opportunities through technology,” Pandey stated, emphasizing the secure and user-friendly nature of the app-based system.
Goa government official Narayan Gad lauded the move as a step forward for the Indian lottery sector. “With our online lottery streamlining processes through technology, we are setting a new standard in the lottery industry,” Gad remarked. “The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations.”
This development follows new rules governing online lotteries, introduced by the Goa directorate in February 2023. Currently, 13 states in India, including Goa, allow lottery games, though others have banned them due to concerns over gambling addiction and operational irregularities.
Asia
DigiPlus Interactive Launches “Pusta de Peligro” Campaign
The DigiPlus Interactive Corporation, with its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation, has launched the “Pusta de Peligro” campaign, pioneering a responsible gaming initiative to empower Filipino players with the knowledge and tools to make better choices in their gaming experiences. This campaign leverages the relatable term Petsa de Peligro—which reflects the need to be prudent before paydays in the Philippines as a metaphor for moments when players must exercise caution and discipline in their gaming.
The Pusta de Peligro campaign aligns DigiPlus Interactive with the efforts of PAGCOR in promoting responsible gaming and playing with a trusted operator, demonstrating a shared commitment to keeping gaming safe and enjoyable. A three-pronged approach to prevention, education and intervention anchors the campaign’s objective to teach Filipinos how to know the risks, set limits and get the right support.
Last November 14, DigiPlus and BingoPlus Foundation held the “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo! Wais Tips for Pusta de Peligro Moments” hybrid talk show in its headquarters in front of over 200 audiences on-site and online.
The show was split into two sessions with the first one being the “Tamang Laro” episode–Teresita Cambe-Castillo, licensed psychologist, chairperson of the board of Seagulls Flock Organisation and International Gambling Certification Board member, discussed how to spot the signs of excessive gaming and provide mental health support for oneself or others.
In the afternoon, proven financial guru Armand Bengco led the conversation in the “Tamang Panalo” episode, teaching the viewers how to continue winning by knowing how to handle money, build an entertainment fund and spend responsibly.
The “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo!” hybrid talk show is proof that DigiPlus, through BingoPlus Foundation, is committed to advancing an education campaign that goes beyond reminders on responsible gaming habits, but also gives actionable, practical tips to better manage their entertainment fund through financial literacy learning sessions, and spot the signs and provide psychological first aid for excessive gaming.
“We’re committed to more than just delivering exciting digital entertainment. With Pusta de Peligro, we’re taking responsibility to help players be mindful, enjoy responsibly, and stay financially aware,” said Rafael Jasper Vicencio, Director of DigiPlus Interactive and President of AB Leisure Exponent and Total GameZone Xtreme, the operator of BingoPlus Stores and developer of its beloved games.
Celeste Jovenir, COO of BingoPlus Foundation and Vice President of DigiPlus Interactive, said: “Pusta de Peligro is just the beginning. We are committed to setting the bar as a responsible industry leader, helping Filipinos navigate gaming wisely, for truly enjoyable and rewarding experiences with us.”
Asia
MelBet Appoints Bollywood Actress Sherlyn Chopra as its New Brand Ambassador
International iGaming company MelBet has appointed Sherlyn Chopra, one of India’s famous and glamorous actresses, as its new brand ambassador.
As a brand ambassador, Sherlyn would be involved in creating exclusive content and promoting MelBet in international markets.
Sherlyn Chopra is known for her significant success in the film and television industry. Her work, including her role in the psychological thriller, Red Swastik, made her popular in India. Sherlyn is actively involved in showbiz and continues to expand her horizons by doing popular web-series, music albums, short films, launching glamour and style apps and other creative projects.
“I am incredibly excited to become a part of the MelBet family. Sports are more than just games or competitions as they unequivocally bring people together. I am proud to contribute to its popularisation with such a reliable partner. MelBet is not just about gaming, casinos, or sports. It is about team spirit towards involvement in the games, followed by highs and lows which are inevitable in the pursuit of success and victory. MelBet is an experience that brings us closer as a community and in setting our goals and achieving them. I am looking forward to starting our collaborative journey and the opportunities that we can create and explore for our growing game lovers,” Sherlyn Chopra said.
With this appointment, Sheryln joins other leading names, who represent MelBet in India and globally. MelBet believes that with her fearless approach to pushing boundaries, she embodies the innovative spirit that MelBet values – which led to her appointment. This partnership is expected to strengthen MelBet’s connection with sports enthusiasts, gamers and those passionate about the game, opening up new opportunities for clients and helping to further expand the brand’s reach across South Asia.
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