Danamic.: eSingaCup 2020 Gets the Ball Rolling as Singapore’s First Virtual Football Event
November 22nd, 2020 | Broadcast
Published 16 November 2020
November 16th, 2020 | Broadcast
With an ongoing pandemic that has sent most businesses and passions virtual, there is one player that hasn’t quite been able to do the same – sports.
The postponement of the 2020 Olympics and many other sporting events around the world has led Dynamique Konzepts to do something that could save the sporting spirit. They’ve come up with the first-ever virtual football event, eSingaCup 2020!
As the inaugural event of its kind to include professional footballers and football experts, this event aimed to kick off (pun very much intended!) more major football tournaments that can be enjoyed responsibly and safely, despite the pandemic.
The event was streamed on Facebook Live, from 31 October to 4 November 2020. There was an exciting event lineup planned as well, including esports competitions, interviews with professionals and industry experts, design and skills contests, and even special music segments from local artists!
In this virtual version of field football, eSingaCup 2020 kickstarted with EA Sports’ premier football video game title, FIFA 21, with full 32-team tournaments! These tournaments were categorised in two ways, each holding prestigious titles:
- The 8 Nations Tournament, featuring 352 international eSports athletes from 8 different countries that fought for the title of eSingaCup 2020 Champion; and
- The 1-v-1 tournament, which allowed those who tuned it to stand a chance to be crowned the Grand Champion of eSingaCup 2020.
The magical thing about online connectivity is that you can see anyone from any corner of the world in real-time, and that’s what viewers got to experience as well. There was an interview with celebrities from the football world, and one of them included ex-English Premier League legend and 108-cap ex-Australian international team captain, Tim Cahill.
But that was not it. There was more!
Regional football stars also made an appearance in the eSingaCup 2020, such as Sunil Chhetri from India, Stefano Lilipaly from Indonesia, and even local players Hassan Sunny and Ikhsan Fandi!
Aspiring footballers with questions on their minds about pursuing the sport as a career were also given a chance to consult international footballing experts through webinars! Fun mini-games with international referees and coaches were also organised.
The eSingaCup 2020 also included entertainment segments, to feed the love for the sport and pride for Singapore football among Singaporeans. There was even a virtual watch-along party of the legendary film, celebrating the peak of Singapore football: the Kallang Roar!
There was also an exhilarating music segment on the opening night, with local music sensations, DJ TINC and Supersonic!
“eSingaCup 2020 was created to celebrate the inclusiveness of sport, in particular, football, and how it can be a unifying presence despite all odds. Although we are unable to organise our usual physical tournament in Singapore, we remain committed to contributing to both the local and international football community during these difficult times. An online event such as this also allows us to engage with a broader audience and bring people together through their love of the sport, creating something unique for people to enjoy from the comfort of their homes wherever in the world they may live.”
~ Selvakumar Panneerselvam, Tournament Director of eSingaCup 2020.
No one could have put it more brilliantly.
The magic of sport can’t be lost. Despite the abnormal circumstances upon us, we have to try to retain that magic, and eSingaCup 2020 has paved the way.
We may not see each other on the pitch, but that doesn’t stop us online!
Visuals courtesy of Dynamique Konzepts.
Article Link: https://danamic.org/2020/11/16/esingacup-2020-gets-the-ball-rolling-as-singapores-first-virtual-football-event/
ConnectedToIndia: eSingaCup 2020 : Singapore’s first ever virtual football event kick starts on October 31
November 1st, 2020 | Broadcast
Published 30th October 2020
The Straits Times: SingaCup moves from the pitch to the screen; event to feature regional stars in panel discussions
November 1st, 2020 | Broadcast
Article by David Lee
Published 31st October 2020, 6pm SGT
Link: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-singacup-moves-from-the-pitch-to-the-screen-event-to-feature-regional-stars
Broadcasted LIVE on CNA 938 on 1st Nov 2020 (Sunday) – 8am
November 1st, 2020 | Broadcast
SingaCup Tournament Director, Selvakumar Panneerselvam appeared on air with RSasikumar on CNA938’s Sports Talk Sunday radio show.
First Broadcast on 1st November 2020 (Sunday), 8.00am.
CNA938
www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cna938
Link: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cna938/sportstalk-weekend
October 31st, 2020 | Broadcast
SINGAPORE – Over 7,500 participants and spectators have attended the annual SingaCup since its inception in 2011, but this year’s Oct 31-Nov 4 event will be moved from the pitch to the screen.
Instead of an 11-a-side international youth football tournament, teams will slug it out on Fifa 21.
This year’s tournament will be split into two categories – 352 international eSports athletes from eight countries will vie for the eSingaCup 2020 title, while members of the public can be involved in a 1 v 1 tournament for the Grand Champion crown.
Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, this year’s virtual event will also feature panel discussions interviews with professional footballers and industry experts, design and skills contests, and music segments from local music celebrities.
Football celebrities expected to feature are former Everton and Australia attacking midfielder Tim Cahill, as well as regional stars like India’s Sunil Chhetri, Indonesia’s Stefano Lilipaly, and Singapore’s Ikhsan Fandi.
Selvakumar Panneerselvam, tournament director of eSingaCup 2020, said: “An online event such as this also allows us to engage with a broader audience and bring people together through their love of the sport, creating something unique for people to enjoy from the comfort of their homes wherever in the world they may live.”
Guest of honour Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, recognised eSports as an increasingly popular platform to engage youth and noted its wider potential.
He added: “To be successful in esports, you need discipline, teamwork and determination – in fact, these are traits which are equally important in any sport.
“Esports It has lots of potential to grow, in terms of industry development and job creation. The increasing base of esports players in Singapore presents an opportunity for us to nurture more youth talents, who may one day represent Team Singapore at the international arena.”
October 30th, 2020 | Broadcast
SingaCup, Singapore’s largest and fastest-growing 11-a-side international youth football tournament is going virtual in its tenth edition this year.
Having commenced in 2011, previous editions had 70% overseas teams participating, attracting more than 7,500 participants and spectators for the week-long event.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SingaCup had to reinvent itself as a virtual hybrid event christened eSingaCup 2020, supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
“We are living in unprecedented times, with many adversely affected by COVID-19, a global pandemic that has left no stone unturned. eSingaCup 2020 was created to celebrate the inclusiveness of sport, in particular, football, and how it can be a unifying presence despite all odds,” said P. Selvakumar, Tournament Director of eSingaCup 2020.
Dynamique Konzepts, the organiser of this premier youth football sporting event of Asia announced that the eSingaCup 2020 will take place from October 31 to November 4, 2020.
Audiences can catch it on FB Live as well as on SingaCup’s Youtube channel.
“It is heartening to see organisers such as Dynamique Konzepts rethink event formats in fresh and innovative ways in this challenging time,” said Ong Ling Lee, Director, Sports, Singapore Tourism Board.
“We are pleased to support eSingaCup 2020 this year as part of SingaCup’s 10th anniversary, and are excited to have participants from both the local and international community join us virtually this year”, she added. “We look forward to welcoming them back to Singapore in the near future”.
The Line-up for SingaCup 2020
The line-up includes 2 types of FIFA 21 esports tournaments, featuring over 480 players from eight countries. It is set to take place on Facebook Live.
The hybrid 5-day event will consist of competitive esports tournaments, interviews, panel discussions and webinars. It will feature some of the biggest names in Asian football, celebrity guests and industry experts, as well as competitions and music segments from local music celebrities.
The tournament seeks to reaffirm its strong standing in the international grassroots football community and attract new fans and a greater audience while showcasing Singapore and the event online.
Furthermore, it seeks to remain relevant during this time when all grassroots football events are cancelled and are effectively out of the public consciousness.
It also strives to increase its profile and fan/participant base while readying for the re-opening of international borders and resumption of physical sports tournaments.
The Rule Enforcers from Asia and Europe Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen, Kate Jacewicz and Chris Beath kick off the first #eSingaCup2020 panel discussion on October 31.
As the only virtual football event of its kind to grace the online presence of fans, professional footballers and footballing experts alike, this event aims to kickstart more major e-tournaments in football, as a safer, more responsible means of enjoying the sport amid a global pandemic.
From Pitch to Screen Amid a Global Pandemic, the eSingaCup 2020 kicks off with a virtual alternative to field football, with full 32-team tournaments for EA Sports’ premier football video game title, FIFA 21.
“An online event such as this also allows us to engage with a broader audience and bring people together through their love of the sport, creating something unique for people to enjoy from the comfort of their homes wherever in the world they may live,” said P. Selvakumar.
Tournaments are split into two types: the 8 Nations Tournament, featuring 352 international eSports athletes from 8 different countries vying for the title of eSingaCup 2020 Champion; and the 1 v 1 tournament for members of the public, competing to be crowned the Grand Champion of eSingaCup 2020.
This eclectic event will have its own sprinkle of stardust with interviews involving football celebrities such ex-English Premier League star and 108-cap ex-Australian international team captain, Tim Cahill.
The star-studded event is also set to feature regional heroes like India’s Sunil Chhetri, Indonesia’s Stefano Lilipaly, as well as local players Hassan Sunny and Ikhsan Fandi.
Local soccer players from Singapore’s very own S-League, Irfan Bachdim (PSS Sleman), Baihakki Khaizan (Tampines Rovers FC) and Patrick Deyto (Suphanburi) will speak about their careers, the fans and their football dream on November 2.
“Although we are unable to organize our usual physical tournament in Singapore, we remain committed to contributing to both the local and international football community during these difficult times”, said tournament director Selvakumar.
The event will also feature a virtual watch-along party of the Kallang Roar movie to pay homage to the peak of Singaporean football.
SingaCup also features a CSR element where it seeks to assist the wider under-privileged community in Southeast Asia. Previous editions of the SingaCup have benefited over 700 children in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia since 2014.
To end the event on a high, two free online contests centered around the eSingaCup 2020 theme of showcasing the spirit of perseverance, resilience and hard work, will be open to the public, where prizes can be won.
Not forgetting the fans, eSingaCup 2020 also has a tournament set for members of the public where gamers from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, Indonesia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Taiwan will be able to participate.
32 randomly-drawn groups of 4 players each will compete in a round-robin series where the winner of each group will advance to the knockout rounds on Day 2. Registration closed on October 30 with slots limited to the first 128 individuals who sign up.
Selected games will be broadcast live through Days 1 and 2, with interactions throughout the live stream broadcast, during and between matches.
Article Link: https://www.connectedtoindia.com/singacup-2020-singapores-first-ever-virtual-football-event-kick-starts-tomorrow/
October 30th, 2020 | Broadcast
30 October 2020
SingaCup goes digital to celebrate 10th anniversary
Adrian Abraham speaks to Selvakumar Panneerselvam, tournament director at SingaCup. The tournament is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year however, instead of welcoming over 200 competing teams from 10 or more countries as initially planned, they’ll be hosting their first E-SingaCup.
Article Link: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/guest/selvakumar-panneerselvam-singacup/
Mr. Edwin Tong is the Singaporean Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law
October 30th, 2020 | Broadcast
Mr. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, will be presenting the Keynote Address by Special Guest for the inaugural eSingaCup.
Mr Edwin Tong SC was appointed Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law on 27 July 2020. Prior to this, he served as the Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Health from 1 July 2018 to 26 July 2020.
As the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Tong drives efforts to build a caring, cohesive and confident society in Singapore. In addition to supporting the arts, heritage, charities, sports and youth sectors; he chairs the National Integration Council, the Singapore Cares Steering Committee, the National Youth Council, and the National Steering Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony.
Mr Tong has an active interest in football, and served in a volunteer capacity as the Vice President of the Football Association of Singapore from 2013 to 2020.
Safer, wider-reaching SingaCup
October 30th, 2020 | Broadcast
Article by V.K Santosh Kumar
link: https://www.tabla.com.sg/jr/jrpc.php?param=2020-10-29&page=12
