Latest news with #ASPIRE
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Korea Herald
Abu Dhabi Powers Up The Games of the Future 2025 with a Lineup of Phygital Disciplines
11 phygital disciplines announced as Abu Dhabi prepares to host phygital athletes and fans this December $5 million prize pool up for grabs in global showcase blending physical skill and digital mastery ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Games of the Future 2025 is set to ignite the global sports calendar with a high-octane lineup of phygital disciplines; a fusion of physical athleticism and immersive digital gameplay. Taking place from 18-23 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this hybrid tournament brings together the world's top phygital athletes for six days of action-packed competition across 11 cutting-edge disciplines. With a total prize pool of $5 million on offer, phygital clubs and athletes from all across the world will be fighting for their right to be champions of the discipline they're participating in. The Games of the Future is the pinnacle of the phygital sports calendar, and every element of the tournament is curated to engage both physical and digital audiences. The 11 disciplines that will be competed at the event are: To be at the top of these disciplines requires a new class of athlete – combining physical prowess and digital dexterity, performing under intense pressure in a ground-breaking and exciting new event format that will attract fans of all ages. Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, said: " This tournament is where elite clubs and future-facing experiences converge. Hosting the Games of the Future in Abu Dhabi reflects our commitment to elevating the global conversation around the future blend of sport and technology, and Abu Dhabi makes the perfect host for this bold experiment. With UAE Vision 2031 and the Year of Community in mind, we're fostering diverse participation, shared innovation, and new connections across cultures and generations." Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, said: "W ith confirmation of these 11 disciplines and the prize pool, the stage is set for Abu Dhabi to be the center of phygital sports in this year's exciting, global Games of the Future. Athletes and fans will join us in experiencing the immersive and high-octane experience of phygital sports, which are built for the next generation. As the guardians of the phygital movement, we are proud to bring the Games of the Future to life. It is a global stage for innovation, inclusion, and imagination." Before the spotlight turns to the Games of the Future this December, Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi – Football took place at ADNEC, transforming the venue into a dynamic arena where global contenders participated in the final qualifying stage to fight for a place in the Phygital Football discipline at this year's Games of the Future. The tournament set the stage for the 21 participating clubs in a hyper-interactive space where tactical smarts and athletic precision collided in sync. As the action unfolded, athletes and enthusiasts alike got a first taste of the energy that will define the Games of the Future 2025. ADNEC will also serve as the arena for the Games of the Future in December. As a dynamic space purpose-built for innovation and scale, it will be transformed into a futuristic arena suitable for this ground-breaking global event - offering the ideal environment to deliver a world-class phygital sports showcase. Its strategic infrastructure and operational excellence continue to position Abu Dhabi as a leading destination for international events at the intersection of technology, sport, and culture. About Phygital International (PI): Phygital International is the promoter of phygital sports globally and is focused on innovating and redefining sports. It is the custodian and rights holder of the Games of the Future and oversees the bidding process for each host city. For further information please visit: https:// About the Games of the Future: The Games of the Future is an annual international event that fuses the worlds of physical and digital and is the pinnacle of phygital sport. The tournament brings together the next generation of phygital sporting heroes from all over the world to compete in a diverse range of phygital disciplines and challenges. The Games of the Future 2025 will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE while the Games of the Future 2026, will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan. For more information please visit: About ASPIRE: ASPIRE drives the creation of future transformative technologies as the innovation accelerator arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). ATRC is responsible for defining Abu Dhabi's research and development strategy, consolidating funds for efficient investment, and driving policy and regulation. ASPIRE works in consultation with cross-sector industry stakeholders, universities, and research institutes to frame problem statements. It also launches grand challenges and international competitions to solve some of the world's most pressing issues. ASPIRE brings together exceptional people, ideas, resources, and technologies to solve complex challenges. For more information, visit About ETHARA: Ethara is shaping the future of entertainment, sport, culture, event services, and asset management regionally and internationally. With offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh, the company employs over 300 professionals who offer an unrivalled wealth of expertise, experience, knowledge and skills. Ethara, meaning 'thrill' in Arabic, operates an impressive portfolio of assets, including Yas Marina Circuit, Etihad Park, Etihad Arena, Yas Conference Centre, Zayed Sports City, and the House of Sustainability. The company works with leading events companies, IP owners, and entertainment partners locally and internationally to deliver world-class, first-to-market events and experiences.
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Abu Dhabi Powers Up The Games of the Future 2025 with a Lineup of Phygital Disciplines
11 phygital disciplines announced as Abu Dhabi prepares to host phygital athletes and fans this December $5 million prize pool up for grabs in global showcase blending physical skill and digital mastery ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- The Games of the Future 2025 is set to ignite the global sports calendar with a high-octane lineup of phygital disciplines; a fusion of physical athleticism and immersive digital gameplay. Taking place from 18-23 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this hybrid tournament brings together the world's top phygital athletes for six days of action-packed competition across 11 cutting-edge disciplines. With a total prize pool of $5 million on offer, phygital clubs and athletes from all across the world will be fighting for their right to be champions of the discipline they're participating in. The Games of the Future is the pinnacle of the phygital sports calendar, and every element of the tournament is curated to engage both physical and digital audiences. The 11 disciplines that will be competed at the event are: Phygital Football: Begins with a football video game before the athletes play football on a pitch Phygital Basketball: A basketball video game round followed by physical on-court action Phygital Fighting: Athletes first compete in a fighting video game, then continue the bout in a physical arena Phygital Dancing: Athletes match their live movements to an interactive rhythm video game Phygital Shooter: Clubs face off in digital shooter round followed by a round of laser tag Battle Royale: A competitive format where clubs fight to be the last club standing MOBA PC: A Multiplayer Online Battle Arena tournament played on PC MOBA Mobile: A Multiplayer Online Battle Arena tournament played on mobile Drone Racing: Pilots navigate high speed drones through an obstacle course using first-person view headsets VR Games: Virtual environments where players rely on reflexes and spatial awareness Battle of Robots: Remote-controlled robots face off in fast-paced, head-to-head combat To be at the top of these disciplines requires a new class of athlete – combining physical prowess and digital dexterity, performing under intense pressure in a ground-breaking and exciting new event format that will attract fans of all ages. Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, said: " This tournament is where elite clubs and future-facing experiences converge. Hosting the Games of the Future in Abu Dhabi reflects our commitment to elevating the global conversation around the future blend of sport and technology, and Abu Dhabi makes the perfect host for this bold experiment. With UAE Vision 2031 and the Year of Community in mind, we're fostering diverse participation, shared innovation, and new connections across cultures and generations." Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, said: "W ith confirmation of these 11 disciplines and the prize pool, the stage is set for Abu Dhabi to be the center of phygital sports in this year's exciting, global Games of the Future. Athletes and fans will join us in experiencing the immersive and high-octane experience of phygital sports, which are built for the next generation. As the guardians of the phygital movement, we are proud to bring the Games of the Future to life. It is a global stage for innovation, inclusion, and imagination." Before the spotlight turns to the Games of the Future this December, Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi – Football took place at ADNEC, transforming the venue into a dynamic arena where global contenders participated in the final qualifying stage to fight for a place in the Phygital Football discipline at this year's Games of the Future. The tournament set the stage for the 21 participating clubs in a hyper-interactive space where tactical smarts and athletic precision collided in sync. As the action unfolded, athletes and enthusiasts alike got a first taste of the energy that will define the Games of the Future 2025. ADNEC will also serve as the arena for the Games of the Future in December. As a dynamic space purpose-built for innovation and scale, it will be transformed into a futuristic arena suitable for this ground-breaking global event - offering the ideal environment to deliver a world-class phygital sports showcase. Its strategic infrastructure and operational excellence continue to position Abu Dhabi as a leading destination for international events at the intersection of technology, sport, and culture. About Phygital International (PI): Phygital International is the promoter of phygital sports globally and is focused on innovating and redefining sports. It is the custodian and rights holder of the Games of the Future and oversees the bidding process for each host city. For further information please visit: https:// About the Games of the Future: The Games of the Future is an annual international event that fuses the worlds of physical and digital and is the pinnacle of phygital sport. The tournament brings together the next generation of phygital sporting heroes from all over the world to compete in a diverse range of phygital disciplines and challenges. The Games of the Future 2025 will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE while the Games of the Future 2026, will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan. For more information please visit: About ASPIRE: ASPIRE drives the creation of future transformative technologies as the innovation accelerator arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). ATRC is responsible for defining Abu Dhabi's research and development strategy, consolidating funds for efficient investment, and driving policy and regulation. ASPIRE works in consultation with cross-sector industry stakeholders, universities, and research institutes to frame problem statements. It also launches grand challenges and international competitions to solve some of the world's most pressing issues. ASPIRE brings together exceptional people, ideas, resources, and technologies to solve complex challenges. For more information, visit About ETHARA: Ethara is shaping the future of entertainment, sport, culture, event services, and asset management regionally and internationally. With offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh, the company employs over 300 professionals who offer an unrivalled wealth of expertise, experience, knowledge and skills. Ethara, meaning 'thrill' in Arabic, operates an impressive portfolio of assets, including Yas Marina Circuit, Etihad Park, Etihad Arena, Yas Conference Centre, Zayed Sports City, and the House of Sustainability. The company works with leading events companies, IP owners, and entertainment partners locally and internationally to deliver world-class, first-to-market events and experiences.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab needs an industrial cluster in every dist: Experts
Ludhiana: Policy experts and industry veterans raised serious concerns about Punjab's underutilisation of flagship schemes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and MSME development recently. Sanjeev Chaddha, professor and head of the management development centre at MGSIPA, said there should be at least one industrial cluster per district to support small businesses and local manufacturing. "States like Haryana have 50 to 55 MSME clusters in operation. Southern states are also making full use of these schemes. But Punjab's figures remain negligible," he added. He introduced several central and state govt schemes that industrialists and new entrepreneurs must make use of. He also pointed out that Punjab has not implemented even a single project under the ASPIRE scheme, which is specifically designed to promote rural entrepreneurship through livelihood business incubators (LBIs) and technology business incubators (TBIs). "ASPIRE offers up to Rs 1 crore in grants for setting up rural incubators, 100% support for govt-promoted LBIs, and 50% support for private or PPP models. Many states have used this to boost rural jobs," Chaddha said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2021 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo "ASPIRE has been in 27 states, with 109 LBIs, 1.08 lakh beneficiaries. For example, UP has 13,656 beneficiaries and Maharashtra 9,599 beneficiaries trained. Punjab has no approved LBIs or trained beneficiaries yet," he added. He was speaking during a capacity building workshop as part of the RAMP (raising and accelerating MSME performance) initiative. It was attended by small entrepreneurs and MSME stakeholders. Chaddha also explained how the cluster development programme provides shared infrastructure like common facility centres, R&D labs, and training units — especially useful for small and micro industries. "In Haryana, SPVs (special purpose vehicles) of 50 to 55 small industries have come together to form independent, successful units. Punjab should adopt this model across all districts," he said. Sanjeev Gupta, former chief GM of SML ISUZU, shared practical challenges and mindset barriers faced by MSMEs. "Most small entrepreneurs try to manage everything themselves — from GST to production. This limits growth and innovation," he said. He stressed the importance of delegation, outsourcing, and innovation to reduce production costs. "Even Maruti cannot keep raising car prices despite increasing costs of power, material, and labour. Instead, they improve efficiency, targeting at least 1% cost reduction annually. MSMEs must adopt a similar approach." Gupta also emphasised the role of workplace culture and employee ownership models in enhancing productivity. "At Infosys, even drivers and gardeners became crorepatis through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). If employees feel like stakeholders, they stay committed and perform better," he said. He encouraged entrepreneurs to treat daily product improvement and cost innovation as a continuous process rather than an occasional goal. Chaddha ended the session with a motivational message for budding entrepreneurs. "Ambani and Adani began from humble backgrounds. The only difference is they fully used every opportunity and scheme available. Punjab's entrepreneurs can do the same." BOX PUNJAB LAGGING BEHIND States like Haryana have 50 to 55 MSME clusters in operation. Southern states are also making full use of these schemes. But Punjab's figures remain negligible Sanjeev Chaddha, professor and head of the management development centre at MGSIPA Most small entrepreneurs try to manage everything themselves — from GST to production. This limits growth and innovation. Sanjeev Gupta, former chief GM of SML ISUZU
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank extends ASPIRE programme by 3 years
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank (WB) has extended the Actions to Strengthen Performance for Inclusive and Responsive Education (ASPIRE) Program by three years with an additional financing of $33 million to support the government to respond to school disruptions caused by various crises, expand access and improve education quality; and enhance sector resilience and management through better coordination, with focus on lagging districts. Official documents revealed that the new closing date for the programme is set to be June 30, 2028. The progress towards achievement of project development objective, as well as, overall implementation progress has been rated satisfactory. The ASPIRE programme has been successfully completed and verified. Key achievements under this reporting period include completion of 2,094 classrooms under DLI 7 (Number of classrooms for grades 6–8 built or rehabilitated in lagging districts) and construction of 1,000 improved school WASH facilities under DLI 8 (Number of schools in lagging areas with improved WASH facilities). Comprehensive teacher training programs on distance learning, foundational literacy, accelerated learning programs, and formative assessment have been delivered under DLI 9 (Implementation of teacher training programs). The Federal Finance Department released US$30 million for FY25 ASPIRE implementation under DLR 10.5 (NEEP budget allocation and release). World Bank's Benhassine lauds Pakistan's economic turnaround The National Online Data Portal has been made operational in June 2025 under DLR 11.1 (Implementation of a functional national open-source data platform), while DLR 11.2 (Standardized data collection, analysis, and public release) has been completed with results from the 2023/24 Annual School Census publicly released in May 2025. Participation in the international Literacy and Numeracy Assessment has been achieved under DLR 12.3 (Participation in an international assessment covering math and language competencies), and foundational learning policies have been notified across provinces under DLR 13 (Notification of foundational learning policies in provinces). All completed DLIs and DLRs have been verified by the Independent Verification Agent (IVA). ASPIRE has been extended by three years with an additional financing of US$33 million, of which US$3 million is under the IPF. The new closing date is June 30, 2028. The proposed additional financing builds on the accomplishments of ASPIRE by: (i) expanding the program's scope and scaling up interventions that have demonstrated positive impact; and (ii) piloting a time bound performance-based transfer mechanism between the federal, provincial, and district governments. Six new DLRs have been introduced to ensure continued impact under the ASPIRE program, these include: i) DLR 1.2: Well-being and nutrition plans/ policies are developed and approved, ii) DLR 13.2: FLN policies implemented in 25 percent of primary schools in lagging districts, iii) DLR 11.3: Horizontal integration of all education data at the provincial level is completed and reported in NODP, iv) DLR 12.4 Provincial assessment frameworks are aligned with NAT and approved by the IPEMC, v) DLR 14.1 OOSC CF design is approved, vi) DLR 14.2 OOSC CF is established. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Priya Nair to be CEO and MD of Hindustan Unilever Limited
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced that Priya Nair, currently President, Beauty and Well-Being, Unilever, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, HUL, effective August 1, 2025. She will be the first woman CEO and MD of the FMCG major. She will also join the HUL Board, subject to necessary approvals, and continue to be a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive. Rohit Jawa will step down as CEO and MD on July 31, 2025 to pursue the next chapter in his personal and professional journey, the company said in a filing. Ms. Nair joined HUL in 1995 and held several sales and marketing roles across home care, beauty and well-being, and personal care businesses. Her contributions led her to become the Executive Director, Home Care, HUL between 2014 and 2020, thereafter, the Executive Director, Beauty & Personal Care, HUL from 2020 to 2022. Subsequently, she went on to become the Global Chief Marketing Officer, Beauty & Well-Being at Unilever. Mr. Jawa took over as the CEO and MD of HUL in 2023. During his tenure of over two years, the company delivered volume-led competitive growth. He introduced the 'ASPIRE' strategy that is driving the business to transform portfolio and channels towards high-growth demand spaces.
