On April 16th, the spotlight was on Qatar as the Qatar Esports Forum brought together industry leaders, game changers, and forward-thinkers from across the world of gaming and esports. Representing the World Phygital Community, Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director, joined an electrifying panel discussion – When Gaming Gets Physical: The Evolution of Esports.
Dan Merkley was accompanied on stage by two key voices shaping the future of the developing phygital space:
- Ahmad Al Meghessib, Head of Esports, QESF
- Yassine Jaada, VP of Esports, EVA
Dan Merkley spoke of building an international movement, with upcoming ranking tournaments within the WPC designed to tap into the unique energy of local communities while growing a global fanbase.
“One of our key milestones over the next five years is to grow the World Phygital Community to 250 active members from all regions of the world. That’s how we ensure this movement becomes truly global, inclusive, and impactful,” said Dan Merkley.
One of the session’s hot topics was athlete development in the hybrid format of physical and digital. Dan Merkley emphasized that competing in phygital sports requires a unique blend of physical prowess and digital precision. While the definition of a “great phygital athlete” is still evolving, the current landscape often sees teams composed of both strong physical athletes and skilled gamers. Looking ahead, the most successful competitors will be those who can excel in both domains.
“The key to success lies in uniting those strengths—through training, support, and investment that allows athletes to develop across both elements of the sport,” Dan Merkley noted. “As the ambition to become phygital world champions grows, so too will the way we train for this new era of competition.”
The WPC is committed to supporting this evolution—empowering its members to shape their own development strategies while building a future where hybrid athleticism becomes the global standard.
