Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi – Football might now be over, but the action-packed spectacle has left a lasting impression on the clubs and World Phygital Community members who witnessed it, and who now leave Abu Dhabi invigorated and inspired to further fuel the phygital fire back home.
For WPC members, Andrei Makaranka of Belarus and Igor Boumekpo of Ghana, the tournament signaled a meaningful step forward in their phygital journeys.
Both arrived with high expectations but the scale of what they encountered surpassed anything they had imagined. “We knew it would be well-organized,” said Igor Boumekpo, President of the Ghana Esports Federation, who supported Team Ghana through its tournament. “But to see the fusion of sport and tech executed with such precision – it’s exceptional.”
Andrei Makaranka, Chairman of the Federation of Phygital Sports of the Republic of Belarus, agreed: “Our expectations were high, and far exceeded! The staging, the professionalism, the technological excellence – it raised the bar. It was not just impressive, it was inspiring.”
FC WhiteBird and Team Ghana, each delivered strong opening performances. FC WhiteBird set the tone with a decisive win against La Crema from Argentina. “A proud moment that showed we belong on this stage,” said Andrei. Team Ghana’s performance was no less thrilling, pulling off a dramatic victory on penalties versus KMF Titograd, illustrating the club’s determination and growing confidence.
But beyond the excitement of competition, both WPC members are focused on what this experience unlocks long-term, particularly for their local phygital ecosystems. Andrei highlighted the value of exposure:
“This event is becoming a milestone in the development of our movement that media in Belarus are actively covering. The interest from local clubs and fans has increased dramatically and we have already received dozens of applications from clubs wishing to participate in the Belarusian Championship this November.”
Igor echoed the importance of visibility: “In Ghana, phygital sport is still new. But seeing videos and highlights from Abu Dhabi has helped people understand the concept and its potential.”
Both members noted the impact of the tournament’s production quality, from digital stage setup to live content and media coordination. “There’s a lot we can implement back home to elevate our local events”, said Igor. For Andrei, the takeaway is also strategic: “The training systems and data-driven insights here are something we’re eager to adapt. It’s a new standard for how to prepare phygital athletes and host phygital tournaments.”
Looking ahead, both members have their eyes firmly set on the Games of the Future 2025 in Abu Dhabi. “This tournament was just the beginning, we’re ready to keep pushing forward”, said Andrei. Igor added, “With what we’ve seen and experienced here, we know the Games will be even more powerful, and we want to be part of that story.”
Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi – Football is now finished but for members in Ghana and Belarus it has marked the start of something much bigger. From new opportunities to deeper community engagement, the tournament has already reshaped what’s possible and set the stage for what comes next.
