Federation Focus: New Partners for Global Esports Fed

(ATR) The Global Esports Federation welcomes two more International Federations as partners in its ongoing effort to connect sport with esports.

The International Surfing Association and World Archery are the newest additions this week, joining World Taekwondo and the International Tennis Federation on the roster.

"We welcome the interest and support from the International Federations to join the esports community and work on evolving physical sport experiences in the digital age," Global Esports Federation president Chris Chan said in a statement.

"The rapid growth of esports also represents an opportunity for surfing and the ISA to access and engage new audiences," said ISA president Fernando Aguerre.

"We are optimistic the partnership with the GEF will help position us on the wave of virtual sport, fulfilling the ISA’s mission to drive accessibility and universal participation."

Ugur Erdener, president of World Archery, said, "World Archery sees great potential in appealing to a younger audience and better engaging sport fans in the esports space. Archery is already prevalent in video gaming and we see this collaboration with the Global Esports Federation as a ground-breaking opportunity to bring the virtual and physical activities together. It has the potential to be an exciting and innovative next chapter for the sport."

The announcement came two days after the GEF launched the #worldconnected Initiative in partnership with Tencent Esports.

The GEF says the initiative provides the global platform to facilitate greater dialogue within the esports community, and bridging the connection between esports, virtual and traditional sports. Besides Tencent, it is also supported by leading global publishers Riot Games, Supercell and Smilegate.

Chan says the initiative provides the IFs "powerful opportunities" to "connect with the world’s youth".

UIPM Releases Uniform Guidelines

The international governing body of modern pentathlon takes the next step in its branding evolution.

UIPM released the federation’s first-ever uniform guidelines on Wednesday.

They provide guidance for the placement of the UIPM mark on all apparel worn by athletes during Modern Pentathlon competitions and award ceremonies, as well as other UIPM sports such as Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run.

The advice has been shared with all National Federations and athletes along with instructions on the homologation of laser pistols.

The new standards will become mandatory in 2022 after a transitional year in 2021.

"We are conscious of the difficult situation the whole world is facing at the moment due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus, and we don’t want our community to feel pressured by additional responsibilities at this time," Martin Dawe, UIPM Executive Board Member for Marketing, said in a statement.

"The transitional year of 2021 should allow new procedures to bed in and we will welcome feedback during that period, with a view to all National Federations and athletes being ready to fully implement the guidance by 2022."

FIFA Foundation, UPL Join Forces

The FIFA Foundation and UPL Ltd. will be working together to use football as a platform to promote and raise awareness about sustainable development in agriculture and education in society.

As part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on Tuesday in Zurich, UPL will collaborate within the FIFA Foundation’s Football for Schools Programme, designed to engage children in interactive education sessions focused on developing life skills and promoting values through football.

UPL will coordinate access to the program for up to 30 schools in rural areas in Brazil, as well as engaging with local authorities in key markets.

UPL and the FIFA Foundation say they will also work together on a ten-year program designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and reward smallholder farmers in developing markets for adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

A multinational company based in Mumbai, UPL is a global provider of crop protection products and is the largest producer of agrochemicals in India.

USRowing Welcomes New CEO

The national governing body for rowing in the United States has a new chief executive officer.

USRowing on Monday announced Amanda Kraus will begin her new role on Nov. 1.

Kraus arrives after 18 years as founder and CEO of Row New York. She began the organization in 2002 by putting $5 into a bank account and reading a book about starting non-profits. Row New York now has a $5 million operating budget.

She plans to bring that organization’s focus on broadening the reach of the sport to her new job at the national level.

"I'm looking forward to helping the sport better reflect the rich diversity of this country," Kraus said. "For too long, our idea of a 'rower' has been limited, and it's time to bust open that door, to welcome all who want to row, to celebrate diversity and to redefine what and who a rower can be. I truly believe that only good can come from this effort."

Kraus admits there is something else at the top of her to-do list.

"First, I plan to do a lot of listening to all of the stakeholders. I need to understand what everyone wants and needs from USRowing. I have my ideas already, but it's important to hear from the broader rowing community -- how can we best be a resource to rowers and rowing programs, from people just learning to row to our Olympians?"

Written by Gerard Farek

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