Africa
Rugby Africa’s North African Regional Development Officer, Mostafa Jelti, Speaks About International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
At the request of the Moroccan NOC, this day was created in 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly
Globally, sport has reached a stage of development that no other human activity can boast of. Its impact on societies and unifying power gives it the responsibility of putting itself at the service of peace
To start off, what does international day of sports for development and peace mean to you?
At the request of the Moroccan NOC, this day was created in 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly. It reflects the importance of sports, which is present in every household with its economic, political, social and above all educational functions.
What is Rugby Ready training? Please feel free to use any images and statistics as well.
The Rugby Ready program is a support and educational training tool, with its objective being to promote enjoyable and fun playing rugby while minimizing the risk of injury.
Player health is the priority at all levels of the game.
Rugby Ready is also a perfect complement to the programs set up by some World Rugby member unions, with Rugby Africa having very satisfactory numbers of participants – second World Rugby region.
You deliver conferences on the theme of Sports and Peace. Please elaborate on the connection between sport and peace? Can you share examples where sport or more particularly rugby has been used to foster peace?
Globally, sport has reached a stage of development that no other human activity can boast of. Its impact on societies gives it an incomparable mobilization potential. This unifying power gives it the responsibility of putting itself at the service of peace.
For concrete examples, I will cite the following cases:
Fist Ping-pong diplomacy initiated in 1971 between China and the USA
The attribution of the 1988 Olympic Games to China (global symbolism)
The joint organization of the football world cup in Japan and South Korea (despite the historical disputes and the poisoned relations)
The (unsuccessful) joint candidacy of Turkey and Greece for the organization of the European Football Championship (UEFA 2008)
In rugby:
The organization of the 3rd Rugby World Cup in South Africa which has contributed to bringing together the entire population of the country.
The participation of the Libyan National Rugby Team in the Arab 7’S Championship (February 2021) where the team was made up of the 2 “war” regions East and West.
You put a lot of emphasis on the values of rugby. May you please list them and explain why they matter and how they define rugby?
The values of rugby are solidarity, integrity, respect, passion and discipline. These are ethical and moral benchmarks to which athletes and public opinion must refer; they guide people in their daily lives with a taste for effort and perseverance. It is also a philosophy that transcends all borders in sport, at school, at home and at work. If I had to classify these values, I would put RESPECT first.
The conferences are targeting teachers, unions administrators, students. Does your approach and message differ depending on the targeted groups?
As a former teacher – the content of the message remains the same, the form differs a little. The ‘speaker’ approach is used with students, players, and administrators. Whilst the ‘moderator’ approach is used with teachers and coaches.
What do you expect your audience to take out of these conferences? If there is one key learning point to remember, what would it be?
I am trying to convey the following message to my audience:
Every day, around the world, millions of sports competitions (“conflicts”) are organized and supervised at school, university, sports federations, regional confederations, international federations, Olympic committees, etc.
These “conflicts” are instituted by the rule and its respect; they serve, in filigree, to:
Bringing competitors closer together rather than dividing them
Promote team spirit
Solidarity in difficulty
Establish equal opportunities
Push towards excellence
Celebrate merit
Convert the rugby player into a good citizen of his country or even of the world.
Please share any other initiatives you have in the pipeline to commemorate such occasions.
I consider schools and universities to be a breeding ground for the development of rugby and I keep close contact with the universities.
Also, I am trying to set up a continental cooperation with the African University Sports Federation (FASU) which will be relayed at the national level by the various federations affiliated to Rugby Africa. In this sense, I host several conferences, each year, on the occasion of the International Day of Sport.
Africa
SYNOT Games Partners with Aardvark Technologies

In a strategic initiative aimed at expanding its influence in regulated African markets, SYNOT Games, a leading developer of online casino games, has announced a partnership with Aardvark Technologies, one solution provider for online and retail iGaming. This collaboration positions Aardvark as a primary aggregation partner for SYNOT Games, enhancing the company’s footprint in rapidly evolving markets across the African continent.
The partnership builds upon an already successful history between the two companies, which has enabled SYNOT Games to establish a foothold in African markets. With this formalised integration, the two sides will combine forces to navigate the continent’s complex regulatory landscape, leveraging Aardvark’s operational acumen and advanced omnichannel platform to drive distribution and growth.
“Our collaboration with Aardvark Technologies marks a pivotal step in SYNOT Games’ long-term strategy to become a leading force in regulated African markets,” said Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games.
“Aardvark effortlessly connects mobile, web, and retail channels, and their deep understanding of the varying legislation across different areas truly makes them a fantastic partner. Here at SYNOT Games, we’re dedicated to providing transparent, compliant, and player-focused content in every market we enter,” she added.
Aardvark Technologies, headquartered in Lithuania, has emerged as a key SaaS provider for gaming operators, known for its scalable transaction engine and intuitive management systems. The company’s technology stack empowers operators to manage multi-channel gaming operations with precision and agility. These capabilities are crucial for success in diverse regulatory environments such as those found across Africa.
“We are pleased to formalize our collaboration with SYNOT Games,” said Arijus Denisovas, spokesperson for Aardvark Technologies.
“SYNOT’s impressive portfolio, combined with its strong commitment to regulated markets, aligns with our mission of providing top-notch gaming content via secure, trusted, and locally tailored infrastructure. Together, we’re raising the bar for responsible gaming in Africa.”
The African iGaming sector, though highly fragmented, is widely regarded as one of the most promising emerging regions globally, driven by mobile-first consumer behaviour, rising internet penetration and evolving legislative frameworks. By uniting SYNOT Games’ growing library of certified titles with Aardvark’s aggregation and compliance tools, the partnership is poised to unlock new levels of accessibility and engagement for operators and players alike.
Both companies emphasize the importance of regulatory alignment and ethical gaming practices. SYNOT Games operates exclusively in regulated markets, prioritising player protection, data integrity and the transparency of its offerings. The company’s products are certified across multiple jurisdictions and supported by a robust compliance infrastructure.
The post SYNOT Games Partners with Aardvark Technologies appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
World Sports Betting Partners with Comrades Marathon Association

World Sports Betting has become the Official Sports Betting Partner of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA).
South Africa’s premier online sports betting platform has signed a three-year deal with the Comrades Marathon, kicking off now with the 2025 event and running through to the 2027 event, which will be the 100th edition of the Ultimate Human Race.
World Sports Betting was founded in 2002 and has been at the forefront of South African sports betting over the last decade. As the country’s premier online sports book, it offers a friendly, fast and secure online sports betting experience, with innovative markets tailored for its South African clients.
As part of its involvement at Comrades, World Sports Betting will help to place an even bigger focus on the world-class elite athletes that grace this world-famous ultramarathon. The World Sports Betting team will also be creating a vibe for runners in Westville, with a route activation about 15km to go from the finish. Traditionally, this is a point of the race that many runners need as much support as possible to keep tired legs going, and the vibrant support of this activation will help the runners go all in with their push for the finish.
“World Sports Betting is extremely proud to sponsor this landmark event. As a proudly South African brand, it’s important for us to align with local sporting events that not only showcase exceptional talent, but also reflect the rich spirit, diversity, and heritage of our vibrant country. We believe in backing platforms that unite communities, celebrate local excellence, and inspire the next generation of champions,” said Ryno Du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer at World Sports Betting.
CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo said: “We are pleased to welcome World Sports Betting as the Official Sports Betting Partner to the Comrades Marathon. They will not only add immense value to our race-day activations, but their commitment to supporting iconic events aligns perfectly with the spirit of our ultramarathon. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance the experience for our runners and spectators alike, and we look forward to a successful collaboration that supports our athletes in achieving their goals.”
The 98th Comrades Marathon will be run on Sunday, 8 June 2025.
The post World Sports Betting Partners with Comrades Marathon Association appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
SOFTSWISS Steps Onto The South African Tech Stage

SOFTSWISS, a global provider of iGaming software solutions, is making its first major public tech debut in South Africa as a proud partner of Africa Tech Week 2025, taking place in Cape Town from 3 – 4 June. Recognised as a leader in iGaming software solutions development, SOFTSWISS will also feature prominently on the speaker line-up, with its Deputy Chief Security Officer, Artem Bychkov, taking the stage as a key voice in the greater cybersecurity conversation.
Africa Tech Week has become one of the continent’s premier events for digital transformation, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies, global thought leaders, and the next wave of innovation shaping Africa’s future. With industry giants, trailblazers, and policymakers converging from across the world, this year’s event promises to set the tone for the continent’s tech agenda.
“Africa Tech Week isn’t just a tech event – it’s a catalyst for digital innovation and cross-continental collaboration,” says Bychkov. “We’re proud to be part of this vibrant ecosystem as it pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in Africa’s digital economy. I look forward to engaging with experts from around the world and sharing my experience in building strong defences against cyber risks.”
While SOFTSWISS sets the bar globally for iGaming technology and its sustainable usage, the company’s Africa strategy will see it focus strongly on expanding local partnerships, contributing to digital resilience, and promoting best practices in fields ranging from cybersecurity to responsible practices in iGaming.
This marks a focused approach in South Africa for the award-winning technology company, as it explores new opportunities and local collaborations. Bychkov’s keynote will focus on the shifting security landscape in emerging tech markets and how businesses can prepare for current and future digital risks.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Steps Onto The South African Tech Stage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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