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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/MelMac Sports) |
A new era for Philippine 3×3 basketball has begun as key stakeholders came together for a friendly tournament last March 24, 2025 at Gameville Ballpark in Mandaluyong City, marking the soft launch of Pilipinas 3×3. The event was spearheaded by officials from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Smart Sports, Strong Group Athletics (SGA), and MelMac Sports, all working toward reigniting the country’s pioneering 3×3 basketball league which had been dormant for the past year. This initiative aligns with SBP’s broader vision of reviving the Philippines’ presence in international 3×3 basketball and taking steps toward Olympic qualification for Los Angeles 2028.
MelMac Sports founder Mel Macasaquit, the driving force behind Pilipinas 3×3, reflected on how the Philippines’ historic FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) appearance in 2019 served as inspiration for the league’s return, saying, “Back in 2019, from October 11 to October 31, we held two seasons of the MelMac Cup as our final push to secure the country’s spot in the first-ever FIBA 3×3 OQT. Then, on November 1, it was officially announced — the Philippines had made it. At the time, it was uncharted territory, but with the support of FIBA and SBP, we made it happen. The rest is history.” Macasaquit emphasized that with the support of SBP, SGA, and Smart, the future of Philippine 3×3 basketball looks bright. A total of 16 teams participated in the friendly tournament, including squads from SBP, Smart, SGA, and media representatives. The SBP Gilas Boys, a team composed of utility members from Ginebra and TNT, emerged victorious and took home a Php100,000 cash prize, four sacks of rice from Jillian Rice Mill, and Php20,000 worth of shoes from Premium Outlets. Each player also received an additional sack of rice, reinforcing the strong athlete support system behind the initiative. SGA, led by president Jacob Lao, finished second. In a gesture of generosity, Lao donated the Php30,000 prize money to event staff, highlighting the spirit of unity within the basketball community. SBP Elite claimed third place, earning a Php20,000 prize. The team featured cage official Ryan Gregorio, Gilas Women’s 3×3 team manager Larry Fonacier, and Bacon Austria.
PLDT and Smart First Vice President Jude Turcuato stressed the power of sports in uniting people, citing a Smart-conducted study that demonstrated sports’ ability to bring communities together regardless of background. “This tournament is proof of that. Through collaboration and a shared goal, we are hopeful that we can propel the Philippines back into the Olympic basketball stage,” said Turcuato. With a successful launch event, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to Pilipinas 3×3, with more details on the league’s full return expected soon.
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Basketball Africa League Partners With Wave To Expand Fan Engagement In Senegal And Côte d’Ivoire
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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/Basketball Africa League) |
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has announced a partnership with Wave, Africa’s leading mobile money platform, to enhance fan engagement and basketball accessibility in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. This collaboration introduces new initiatives for the 2025 BAL season, including streetball tournaments, ticket discounts, and youth development programs. In the lead-up to the BAL’s Sahara Conference games on April 26-May 4, 2025 at Dakar Arena, the BAL and Wave are hosting an eight-team 5-on-5 streetball tournament in Dakar featuring four teams selected by the Senegalese Basketball Federation and four additional teams which were chosen from an open registration process. The tournament kicked off last March 22, 2025 and will conclude with a championship game in early May.
Wave users will benefit from exclusive rewards, gifts, and special perks through the Wave App rewards program, making it easier to engage with BAL events. Additionally, BAL game tickets for the Sahara Conference in Dakar are now available for purchase at BAL.NBA.com and Bal-teewtickets.com. The partnership extends to Côte d’Ivoire where the BAL and Wave will unveil a refurbished basketball court in Abidjan in September 2025 which will serve as a key training hub for local athletes. A training camp will also be organized at the court to support young players’ development. Additionally, one Wave user from Côte d’Ivoire will win an all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa to attend the 2025 BAL Finals in Pretoria on June 14, 2025. BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall emphasized the league’s commitment to making basketball more accessible across Africa, saying, “Our collaboration with Wave is part of our commitment to make the BAL and basketball more accessible across the continent. We look forward to working together to provide more opportunities for youth, players, and fans in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire to engage with the game and our league.” Wave Senegal General Director El Hadji Malick Guèye highlighted the synergy between basketball and financial inclusion, stating, “This marketing partnership with the BAL aligns perfectly with Wave’s ambition to expand access to essential services, both in finance and culture. By making the BAL more accessible and launching community-driven initiatives, we reinforce our commitment to a cashless, inclusive, and connected Africa.”
Meanwhile, Wave Côte d’Ivoire General Director Katier Bamba stressed the significance of the Abidjan court refurbishment, saying, “Basketball is a growing passion in Côte d’Ivoire, and we are thrilled to work with the BAL to provide opportunities that will leave a lasting impact on the community.” The 2025 BAL Sahara Conference group phase will feature ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal), defending BAL Champions Petro de Luanda (Angola), first-time participant Kriol Star (Cape Verde), and 2022 BAL Champions US Monastir (Tunisia). Further details on BAL 2025 initiatives and events will be announced in the coming weeks.
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PFL Partners With STARZPLAY To Expand MMA Coverage In MENA Region
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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/Professional Fighters League) |
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a multi-year partnership with STARZPLAY, the leading subscription video-on-demand service in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This landmark deal will provide fight fans free access to all PFL events in 2025 including the highly anticipated PFL MENA Season 2 Quarterfinals on May 9, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The partnership aligns with PFL’s mission to expand its global reach and further develop the MMA scene in the MENA region. Beginning April 3rd, STARZPLAY will stream all PFL content including the PFL World Tournament, Champions Series, PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and PFL Africa, across multiple platforms, including mobile, desktop, and smart TVs.
The PFL MENA Season 2 Quarterfinals will feature an explosive main event as Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Qahtani (10-2) takes on Egypt’s Islam Reda (12-1) in a high-stakes Featherweight showdown. This marks a pivotal moment for regional MMA as PFL MENA continues to showcase top Arab fighters on an international stage. Fans across the MENA region can watch the entire event for free on STARZPLAY, ensuring wider accessibility for combat sports enthusiasts. “We are very excited to partner with STARZPLAY, the leading streaming platform in the MENA region, to bring world-class MMA action to millions of passionate fight fans. This multi-year partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand PFL’s global footprint and deliver premium combat sports content to audiences worldwide,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. Murray emphasized the importance of the Middle East market for PFL’s future, adding, “The Middle East is a key market for the PFL, and now, fight fans across the region can watch and support their favorite MENA fighters in all PFL events, including the electrifying kickoff of PFL MENA Season 2 in Jeddah this May 9.”
For STARZPLAY, this partnership further reinforces its commitment to delivering diverse and premium sports content to its subscribers. “Our partnership with the Professional Fighters League further strengthens our sports content portfolio, bringing the excitement of world-class MMA to STARZPLAY. With more people seeking diverse sports offerings today, this collaboration allows us to deliver premium MMA content to our subscribers across the MENA region, connecting them with the best in regional and international MMA talent,” said STARZPLAY Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Danny Bates. As MMA continues to gain momentum in the Middle East, STARZPLAY’s partnership with PFL positions the platform as a key player in the growth of combat sports in the region.
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World Football Summit And FC Mother Launch Global Initiative To Integrate Maternal Health Into Football
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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/World Football Summit) |
World Football Summit (WFS), the premier international football industry event, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with FC Mother, a pioneering organization leveraging football’s influence to improve maternal health worldwide. This collaboration introduces the “Health, Well-Being And Longevity” platform at WFS events which kicked off at the recent Women’s Football Summit in Bilbao held last March 27, 2025. This strategic initiative establishes a dedicated programming track focused on using football to drive global health improvements, with a special emphasis on maternal health. The first major milestone of this partnership will be the “World Cup Of Healing”, set to take place in New York in July 2025 ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup final. This event will showcase real-world impact metrics and community-driven initiatives demonstrating how football can address public health challenges.
“Football has always been more than just a game — it’s a powerful platform for social change. By partnering with FC Mother, we’re creating a space where the football industry can unite around one of humanity’s most fundamental needs: maternal health,” said WFS Co-Founder and Managing Director Jan Alessie. FC Mother’s unique “Healing Sports” (H-Sports) concept merges competitive football with measurable wellness initiatives. Through its FC Mother League, the organization engages 5 billion football fans and 4,500 clubs globally to support maternal health programs. FC Mother Founder and Chairman Morad Fareed emphasized the long-term impact of this initiative, stating, “The football club of the future is not just about athletic excellence — it’s a public vehicle to address humanity’s biggest challenges, starting with healing our mothers. Our partnership with World Football Summit gives us a platform to integrate maternal healing into football culture worldwide.” FC Mother’s approach is backed by over a decade of research and partnerships, including collaborations with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), and leading maternal health experts like Jennie Joseph and Dr. Heloisa Lessa. The initiative also aims to expand its reach to 400 football clubs by 2034, potentially benefiting 13 million mothers annually.
As the “Health, Well-Being And Longevity” platform continues to grow at WFS events, both organizations aim to establish a global network of football clubs committed to maternal health and develop industry-wide health impact metrics. This partnership represents a shift in how sports organizations contribute to public health, reinforcing football’s potential to be a force for healing communities worldwide. Football industry leaders interested in joining this initiative can register for the Women’s Football Summit at WorldFootballSummit.com.
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Youth Charter Marks 32 Years Of Using Sport To Drive Social Change
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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/Youth Charter) |
The Youth Charter, a global movement harnessing the power of sport for social change, proudly celebrates its 32nd anniversary. For more than three decades, the organization has championed initiatives that provide young people — particularly those from disadvantaged and disaffected communities — with access to life-changing opportunities in sport, art, culture, and digital engagement. As the Youth Charter reflects on its journey, it calls for greater support in expanding its Community Campus model, a network of safe and inclusive spaces designed to help young people develop critical life skills, confidence, and resilience. This milestone comes at a historic time for global sport. The recent election of Africa’s first woman IOC President signals a groundbreaking shift towards greater equity and representation in international sports leadership. Additionally, the evolving IOC-UN Accord strengthens sport’s role in driving sustainable development, peace, and social inclusion.
Youth Charter Founder Geoff Thompson emphasized the urgency of translating these global commitments into action at the grassroots level, saying, “At a time when global sport is embracing diversity, inclusion, and development, we must ensure that these principles translate into tangible action for the most marginalized communities. We urge all stakeholders, governments, private sector leaders, and the international sporting community to support initiatives like the Youth Charter Community Campus and truly unlock sport’s potential as a force for good.” To maximize its impact, the Youth Charter calls for (1) increased investment from policymakers, businesses, and governing bodies to expand its Community Campus network; (2) stronger partnerships with national and international sports organizations to integrate sport for development at every level; and (3) greater recognition of sport’s role in addressing social inequality, mental health, and economic opportunities for young people. The Community Campus initiative offers structured pathways for young people to engage in mentorship, leadership development, and skill-building programs. However, its success hinges on collective support from key decision-makers across various sectors.
As the Youth Charter celebrates 32 years of impact, it remains committed to ensuring that every young person — regardless of background — has access to the opportunities that sport can provide. The next chapter of its mission depends on collaboration, investment, and a shared belief in the power of sport to transform lives. Join the movement and be part of the change at www.YouthCharter.org.
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BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing Announces Launch Of Trigon Combat Amateur Series
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| (Image Source: Fightbook MMA/BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing) |
BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB), the modern-day originators of bare knuckle fighting and largest bare knuckle fighting organization in the world, recently announced the launch of “Trigon Combat”, a hybrid boxing series intended to help amateur fighters interested in competing in bare knuckle develop their skillset and transition successfully into professional ranks. Overseeing the venture will be Nelson Lopez Jr., a well-respected and accomplished figure in combat sports who has served as a promoter, talent manager, and media personality who has spearheaded similar ventures in the bare knuckle boxing space.
In Trigon Combat, fighters will compete in BKB’s patented triangular Trigon ring with seven-ounce gloves. Trigon Combat will include both formal, open tryouts as well as organized competitions throughout the year throughout the US and Mexico. “Those in our business know that I have spent almost three years developing a program and platform to give fighters a pathway to succeed in bare-knuckle boxing. Unfortunately, the organization I was previously working with didn’t value the work we were putting in to grow the sport in a meaningful way through amateur talent development. Through conversations with [BKB founder and president] Mike Vazquez, I realized that BKB — especially in the Trigon — is the perfect place for a program like this to truly grow, flourish, and succeed. BKB has a proven track record of building a smart, sustainable, and future-focused company, brick by brick. This past year has demonstrated their commitment to expanding the sport globally and investing in its future,” said Lopez.
In the past two years, BKB (originally BYB) has purchased the UK-based BKB, the world’s oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company, and in doing so merged the organizations to create the largest bare knuckle boxing company in the world in terms of roster, library and distribution; ushered in ethical and legalized gambling to the sport; acquired the rights to the historic and prestigious Police Gazette Diamond Belt which now serves as the Bare Knuckle Boxing World Championship; and brought bare knuckle boxing to linear television on both sides of the Atlantic, including BKB’s most recent deal with VICE TV. The first Trigon Combat tryout in the United States will be held on April 12, 2025 in South Carolina while the first Trigon Combat event is scheduled to take place in Aguascalientes, Mexico on May 3, 2025.
