World Phygital Community Launches Advisory Council to Guide Phygital Sports Future

The Emergence of the World Phygital Community's Advisory Council

In an exciting development for the realm of sports, the World Phygital Community (WPC) has announced the formation of its very first Advisory Council. This council is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of phygital sports—a rapidly growing category that blends physical and digital competition.

The WPC serves as a global regulatory body that is dedicated to overseeing the rules and standards of phygital sports. As part of their mission, they aim to elevate the profile and reach of this innovative sporting genre, which is characterized by the merging of physical athleticism with digital creativity and engagement.

The Council's Vision and Structure

The Advisory Council is made up of four pioneering leaders who bring a wealth of experience from the fields of sports, technology, diplomacy, and entrepreneurship. Together, they are tasked with advising WPC on key areas including global policy, commercial opportunities, and sustainable development frameworks to support the burgeoning ecosystem of phygital sports.

Dan Merkley, the Chairperson and Managing Director of the WPC, expressed his enthusiasm about the formation of the council. He stated, “Phygital sport is more than a new category of sport - it's a new way for people everywhere to connect through competition.” This sentiment underscores the council's intention to utilize the power of sport to bridge traditional practices and digital innovations, providing an inclusive platform for participants from all backgrounds.

Inaugural Members of the Advisory Council

1. Bernt Erik Bjontegard – With a background as a former NASA rocket scientist, Bjontegard now leads projects at Qualcomm focusing on mobile communications and smart city technologies. His innovation, Spark Compass, incorporates augmented reality and the Internet of Things to enhance fan engagement in sports.

2. David Feng Xintao – A seasoned professional within the Olympic Movement, Xintao has extensive experience coordinating high-profile events like the Olympics. His role ensures that WPC's initiatives remain closely aligned with global sporting standards and practices.

3. Francline Fonderson – As the founder of the Cameroon Association for Technology and Cultural Exchange, Fonderson has been instrumental in merging traditional sports with digital competition in Central and West Africa, helping to create sustainable pathways for young athletes.

4. Jorge O'Ryan Schutz – A multifaceted individual with a history in diplomacy and sports administration, Schutz brings his experience as a former professional basketball player and ambassador to Germany to the table, advocating for the integration of sports into public and international policy frameworks.

Focus Areas for the Advisory Council

The council plans to concentrate on raising awareness about WPC initiatives, exploring new markets, advising on commercial prospects, and developing regulatory standards for phygital sports. The members will meet regularly with WPC leadership, ensuring their findings and decisions are transparent and publicly shared.

The establishment of the Advisory Council is just one of the ways in which WPC seeks to foster collaboration among leaders and visionaries in the field of sports. With the Games of the Future on the horizon, which is poised to be an annual showcase of phygital talent, the council's contributions will be pivotal in shaping a future that embraces both physical prowess and digital innovation.

As WPC continues to promote phygital sports, it firmly believes that this fusion will unlock new opportunities for athletes, clubs, and federations, paving the way for the next generation of sports competition.

The Games of the Future, the hallmark event celebrating phygital sports, will occur consecutively in Abu Dhabi and Astana, Kazakhstan, aiming to gather emerging sporting heroes worldwide—further solidifying the emphasis on the inclusive and global growth of phygital competition.