Latest news with #Cafu
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
OPPO and the UEFA Champions League Final: Powering Football Innovation On and Off the Pitch
Fans take a virtual selfie with virtual Lamine Yamal powered by OPPO AI Legendary moments on the pitch captured by OPPO technology Kaká, Micah Richards and Cafu coached and played a friendly 5v5 game with young players from Brazil OPPO is partnering with UNESCO, the municipal institutes of Sports of Puebla and Chihuahua to support aspiring young football players in the country. MUNICH, GERMANY - Media OutReach Newswire - 1 June 2025 - The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season reached its spectacular conclusion on 31 May at Munich Football Arena. As the Official Smartphone Product Partner of the prestigious competition for the third consecutive year, OPPO celebrated the event with a series of football-related CSR programs and cultural activations around the final as well as reaffirming its commitment to supporting football through innovation in technology and social initiatives. By integrating cutting-edge technology into football and strengthening connections between fans and the game worldwide, OPPO continues to empower footballers and supporters to truly "Make Your Moment", creating unforgettable experiences both on and off the the Champions Village at Munich Football Arena, OPPO brought together football culture, highlights from the UEFA Champions League history, and the sporting spirit of Munich alongside the company's latest AI technologies and camera innovations. Football fans from around the world were given the chance to take AI-powered selfies with a virtual avatar of Spanish football prodigy and OPPO Global Brand Ambassador, Lamine Yamal, at the interactive booth, making their own hero moment powered by OPPO AI. Inter Milan legend, Marco Materazzi, also made a surprise appearance at the OPPO Hospitality Lounge, where he met with fans and demonstrated the latest OPPO the OPPO and UEFA Champions League highlights on display at the Champions Village, the event also featured a showcase of OPPO's latest AI and photography technology. Pushing the boundaries of smartphone photography, OPPO's new camera zoom technology eliminates typical user challenges when shooting photo and video from a distance, enabling even spectators in the highest stands to capture stunning close-ups as if standing on the sidelines. Enhanced by other OPPO AI features like AI Unblur and AI Eraser, OPPO's camera technology empowers fans to effortlessly capture goals, saves, and more epic moments, transforming the on-pitch excitement into timeless, unforgettable the eve of the UEFA Champions League Final, OPPO invited Global Brand Ambassador Kaká, and Brazilian football legend Cafu, to lead a series of charity football training clinics for youth athletes from Brazil in Munich, providing a rare opportunity for the young footballers to learn directly from their football idols. Following the training, former England international and popular broadcaster, Micah Richards also joined for an exclusive 5v5 match with the up-and-coming players, with the legends using OPPO's AI-powered technology to capture picture-perfect moments from the the day of the final, OPPO also brought together Kaká, UEFA Champions League legend Esteban Matías Cambiasso Deleau, and Chinese youth women footballers for a game of the ancient Chinese football-like sport, Cuju, connecting diverse football cultures past and present while showcasing football's unifying this extensive program of activities around the competition, OPPO is creating a global platform that connects fans and players around the world through the common language of football. By helping to promote football, improve players' technical skills, and provide inspiration from football heroes, these programs create valuable opportunities for youth development, elevating both the game and football culture its activations at this year's final, OPPO has been implementing a range of diverse sports development and talent cultivation programs worldwide throughout the season in its third year as the Official Smartphone Product Partner of the UEFA Champions Brazil, OPPO has launched a comprehensive sports initiative across four communities in São Paulo to support youth football development. The program includes renovating local football pitches, donating sports equipment and supplies, providing professional training sessions, and facilitating pathways for young players to enter professional Egypt, OPPO teamed up with The Maker Football School for The Maker OPPO Dream League—a nationwide youth football tournament aimed at discovering and developing Egypt's top young football talent. In addition to hosting the competitive tournament, OPPO has provided comprehensive coaching and world-class player development programs to help aspiring young footballers turn their dreams into Mexico, OPPO also announced a strategic partnership with UNESCO, the municipal institutes of Sports of Puebla and Chihuahua to empower aspiring young football players across the country. Through the collaboration, OPPO will provide essential training equipment and cutting-edge technology to nurture the next generation of football talent and inspire professional football aspirations among local beginning its partnership with the UEFA Champions League, OPPO has continued to empower football fans worldwide, with its advanced technologies and products making it easy than ever for fans to capture, share, and relive the game's most thrilling moments. Inside the stadium, OPPO's cutting-edge devices enable fans to preserve iconic match highlights and amplify their passion for football. Beyond the stadium, OPPO is also collaborating with global communities to provide development platforms, resources, and technologies that drive the sustainable growth of forward, OPPO remains committed to connecting football fans worldwide through technology and unlocking the sport's untapped potential while empowering more football players and fans to "Make Your Moment".Hashtag: #OPPO #MakeYourMoment #OPPOxUCL25 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gatorade 5v5 Finals Bring Global Youth to Champions League Stage in Munich
Gatorade's 5v5 Fabregas Gatorade's 5v5 Mexico Gatorade's 5v5 Brazil MUNICH, Germany, May 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- There was a palpable sense of excitement in Munich as the city prepared to host the UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan. Fans from France and Italy – and much further afield – have been gathering in the Bavarian capital for several days. But this climax to the European football season is not just about the elite senior teams - young footballers from around the world are also very much included. In the shadow of Munich's Olympic Stadium four five-a-side teams representing three countries, competed in the final stages of the Gatorade 5v5 Tournament. For the past year teams of 14–16-year-olds from around the world have been taking part in local grassroots competitions, until they were whittled down to the finalists here. In the girls' final Canada took on Mexico, while Canada's boys faced Brazil. At stake were a trophy, and tickets to see the Champions League final itself. Watching were some of their friends and families, Inter and PSG supporters filtering into the fans' Champions Festival in Munich's Olympiapark, and some of football's all-time greats. Cafu won the FIFA World Cup twice with Brazil, and he was happy to give the tournament a ringing endorsement from the sidelines of the specially constructed five-a-side pitch. He was impressed by the skills on show and told me that he also loved the way the young players embraced the values of the game. 'You have to do what you love,' he said. 'When you do what you love you play with joy and happiness.' Competition is important, he said, but winning is not everything – it was equally about participation in a game you love with team-mates you have formed close bonds with. He praised the Gatorade 5v5 Tournament for bringing diverse groups of young people together, encouraging them to exercise – and to express themselves. They were sentiments echoed by another all-time great, Cesc Fàbregas, a World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, and a UEFA Championship winner in 2008 and 2012. 'This is the perfect age to compete, but to enjoy, and to follow your dreams,' he said. 'Between 14 and 16 is the last phase before everything starts to get together. It's important for them to understand that you can compete also by having fun, and fighting for your teammates, and having that solidarity – when you take the ego out and the selfishness out and you are fighting for something collectively, I think the dream becomes much stronger.' The tournament is part of Gatorade's drive to support grassroots football, give young people around the world the chance to enjoy the thrill of playing it, and provide them with an insight into sport's power to bring people together – on and off the pitch. The tournament has been running since 2016. Gatorade believes it helps young people unite over their love for the game, and encourages youth participation. After all, the most important thing about football – like all sports – is that it is fun. Gatorade's goal is to get 2.5 million teenagers active in the program by 2030, and to expand its reach into the United States and other territories. Promoting participation in sport is key for the company, rather than it all being about winning and losing. Research suggests that girls, in particular, find an over-concentration on competition off-putting. 'There's skill, there's technique, but what we're really focusing on is just enjoying the game, enjoying the passion, and learn to build resilience, learn to build team work,' says Umi Patel, Umi Patel, Vice President Marketing Innovation and Hydration Brand, from Gatorade's parent company, Pepsi. 'It's very diverse, and that is very important to us too. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these youngsters.' The action on the pitch was fast and exciting, with the skill levels on show really high. Despite a determined second half comeback Brazil triumphed over Canada in the boys' event 7-5, while Mexico beat Canada's girls' team 5-1. The players all agreed it had been an amazing, shared adventure. 'It's a great experience, coming all the way from Canada to Munich, and it's obviously huge representing our country,' said Olivia Galati, from Toronto. 'We have learned a lot – a lot of different tricks and skills. It's not yourself you are working for, you are working for a team – we are not just individuals, we are like a family, so I think it's really meaningful.' From the boys' team Jonathan Vasquez said, 'It was a little disappointing because we lost. But it was inspirational, so I think it's really good.' Media Contact: Dean Ismail, Senior ManagerE: Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📹 Ancelotti shares video of iconic Brazil moments: 'Hello, Brazil'
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. Anxiety is already taking over for Carlo Ancelotti's first call-up to the Brazilian National Team. Before the event, scheduled to take place at 3 pm (Brasília time) this Monday (26), in Rio de Janeiro, the 65-year-old Italian coach posted a video on "X" (formerly Twitter) with images of historic moments of the National Team in World Cups. Hard not to get excited, huh! In the images, there are great Brazilian idols like Romário, Ronaldo Fenômeno, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Zico, Rivellino, Pelé, and Garrincha, in addition to all five captains (Bellini 1958, Mauro 1962, Carlos Alberto Torres 1970, Dunga 1994* and Cafu 2002) who have already lifted the World Cup trophy. *However, in the video posted by Ancelotti, it is Romário who lifts the 1994 World Cup trophy, not captain Dunga. Olá Brasil! — Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) May 26, 2025 The Brazilian National Team will face Ecuador on June 5, at the Estádio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, in Guayaquil. On the 10th, the opponent will be Paraguay, at the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo. The matches are valid for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. The five-time world champions appear in fourth place with 21 points. + 📹 De boné amarelo, Ancelotti chega ao Brasil; torcida faz festa em hotel Who do you 🫵 think should be on the call-up? Share your opinion! 🗣️ 📸 ODD ANDERSEN
Khaleej Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Strong investor confidence as 11 GCC IPOs raise $1.6b in Q1
The GCC equity capital markets have showcased remarkable vitality, with the first quarter of 2025 continuing the momentum of a record-breaking 2024. According to PwC Middle East's IPO Watch Q1 2025 report, 11 initial public offerings (IPOs) raised $1.6 billion in Q1 2025, a significant increase from $1.2 billion across 10 listings in Q1 2024. This surge underscores strong investor confidence in the region's capital markets, defying global economic uncertainties and positioning the GCC as a dynamic hub for investment. Saudi Arabia led the charge, contributing $1.1 billion, or 69 per cent of total IPO proceeds in Q1 2025. The kingdom's dominance was driven by three main market listings on the Tadawul and six additional listings on the Nomu parallel market, which together raised $62 million. This performance cements Saudi Arabia's role as the region's powerhouse for capital market development, fueled by its ambitious economic diversification agenda. The UAE also made significant strides. Alpha Data, a digital transformation and system integration leader, raised $163 million on the Abu Dhabi Exchange, highlighting the UAE's growing appeal for tech-driven listings. Meanwhile, Dham Reit Management, a Dubai Holding subsidiary, set a new benchmark with its Dubai Residential REIT IPO, priced at Dh1.1 per unit, marking it as the largest listed real estate investment trust in the GCC. Adding to the UAE's vibrant market, Cafu, a leading fuel delivery app, is reportedly exploring a stake sale that could pave the way for its stock exchange debut, further diversifying the region's IPO landscape. Oman, too, advanced its privatisation efforts with the listing of Asyad Shipping on the Muscat Stock Exchange, raising $333 million. This move reflects the GCC's broader commitment to unlocking new value for investors through diversified capital markets. Oman's strategic listings, including two businesses carved out of OQ in 2024, secured $2.5 billion, representing 19 per cent of the region's total IPO proceeds for the year. The year 2024 was a landmark for GCC IPOs, with 53 listings raising a record $13.2 billion, the highest volume ever recorded in the region. Saudi Arabia led with 15 Tadawul IPOs and 27 Nomu listings, while the UAE accounted for 47 per cent of proceeds with seven high-profile IPOs, including Talabat Holding, Lulu Group, and NMDC Energy, which collectively raised $6.2 billion. Tadawul listings alone contributed 30 per cent ($4.0 billion) of GCC proceeds. The final quarter of 2024 was particularly strong, with 26 IPOs, including 20 in Saudi Arabia, raising $8.5 billion — 64 per cent of the year's total proceeds. Three of the five largest GCC IPOs occurred in Q4, underscoring the region's accelerating IPOs, the GCC's capital markets saw $9.7 billion in bond issuances and $25.9 billion in sukuks in 2024, with 55 per cent issued by GCC governments, reflecting robust public-sector support. Contributions from Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait further bolstered the region's record-breaking performance, with Oman ranking third in proceeds. The GCC's IPO market is thriving, driven by economic diversification, investor enthusiasm, and strategic listings across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman. As Q1 2025 demonstrates, the region's capital markets are poised for continued growth, offering a beacon of opportunity for global investors.
TimesLIVE
14-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Phumelela Cafu excited for day of ‘Truth' to unify titles
World Boxing Organisation (WBO) junior-bantamweight world champion Phumelela Cafu says he never thought one day he would fight to unify world titles. Nicknamed 'The Truth', Cafu will put his belt on the line against World Boxing Council (WBC) titlist Jesse Rodriquez in a winner-takes-all contest at the Star Frisco in Dallas, Texas, on July 19. On the same day but at London's Wembley Stadium, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will battle it out for their undisputed heavyweight title fight. Usyk, from Ukraine, holds the WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, IBO and The Ring belts, while his English dance partner will put his IBF title on the line. 'I am so excited my fight against Rodriquez happens on the same day as the heavyweight championship, which means that weekend will be about unification fights and I am part of it,' said Cafu.
