VISA Brings Innovative Payment Experiences to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

— More than 5,300 contactless-enabled payment terminals will make FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ the most payment-enabled FIFA tournament ever.

— Visa will pilot payment innovations including instantly-issued prepaid cards with animated card art and support facial biometric payments.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) As the world awaits kick-off of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Visa (NYSE: V), the Official Payment Technology Partner of FIFA, has readied a payments network that will enable contactless purchases throughout all official venues, including eight stadiums and the FIFA Fan Festival™. With more than one million fans expected to travel to Qatar for the tournament, Visa has installed 5,300 contactless-enabled payment terminals at official FIFA venues, making FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ the most payment-enabled FIFA tournament ever. Visa will also trial new payment innovations to give fans easy access to simple and secure digital ways to pay.

The FIFA World Cup™ provides a global stage for Visa to showcase and test new technologies, enhance the fan experience and leave a lasting impression on the host country. Visa will bring a number of digital payment solutions to Qatar, including several limited pilots to demonstrate how future Visa payment solutions may come to life:

• Pay with Your Face: Marking the first-time it will be used for payments in Qatar, facial recognition technology is a collaboration between Qatar National Bank (QNB) and POP ID and supported by Visa via tokenization. The solution allows customers to authenticate payments using just their face, without a physical card or mobile phone after initial enrollment. It will be piloted at three Flat White Specialty Coffee branches.
• Card Art Gets Animated: As consumers become more accustomed to getting things instantaneously, Visa is piloting a digital card issuance solution for limited cardholders in Doha. After simply scanning a QR code, a digital prepaid card will be instantly issued and can be added to a mobile wallet. The digital card will feature animated card art, with the official mascot La’eeb, demonstrating a future in which consumers could bring greater personalization and even digital animation to their Visa cards.
• Accepting Payments Gets Simpler for SMBs: In partnership with three Qatar-based banks the Visa Tap to Phone solution is now available to merchants in Qatar who want to fast-track their ability to accept digital payments in advance of the expected tourist influx. Visa Tap to Phone makes it easier for merchants to use their Android NFC-enabled devices they already own to accept contactless payments—simply by downloading an app.
• Tap to Ride Around Doha: Keeping traffic flowing smoothly during FIFA World Cup™ has been a top priority and Visa, in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Transport, is enabling contactless payment acceptance on taxis so fans and Qatari residents will be able pay for their trips with their Visa card or smartphone, making paying for their journeys in and around Doha faster and more convenient.

 Earlier this month, Visa unveiled Visa Masters of Movement, a first-of its-kind hybrid experience featuring an interactive pitch at the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Doha where fans will be able to create digital art inspired by their own signature movements. Eligible fans will have the option to mint this digital art into their own NFT in partnership with Crypto.com.

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for GCC at Visa, said: “As FIFA’s long-standing partner, Visa wants to give football fans from around the world the best way to pay in Qatar, while experiencing exciting new innovations such as the fusion of art, football and technology at Visa’s Masters of Movement venue. With thousands of contactless payment terminals, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ promises to be the most payment-enabled FIFA tournament ever for the more than one million fans coming to enjoy the magic of football.”

Visa has been FIFA’s Official Payment Technology Partner since 2007. As a global supporter of both men’s and women’s football, Visa aims to offer experiences that bring people closer to the action, whether they are among the one million people anticipated in Qatar or the five billion viewers expected worldwide for this year’s tournament. In addition to providing the latest in payments innovations at official FIFA venues, Visa seeks ways to further its commitment to uplift lives through the power of sport through programs such as Financial Football, a video game that combines entertainment and education in an action-packed virtual football tournament.

Pakistan vs England T20 World Cup 2022: ENG beat PAK at the MCG in the final.

Eng – Sam Curran was named the player of the match (3/12) and the player of the tournament (12 wickets in six matches).

Pakistan vs England, T20 World Cup Final 2022:Ben Stokes held his nerve with an unbeaten half-century as England claimed their second Twenty20 World Cup title with a five-wicket win over Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Thirty years after losing the 50-over World Cup final to Pakistan at the MCG, England turned the tables on the south Asians with brilliant death bowling and with Stokes finishing on 52 not out in a chase of 138 for victory.

Gamers, Be Ready! As TCL Brings the Biggest eSports Football Gaming Competition with a massive prize of over PKR. 1.5 million

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) To celebrate the spirit of eSports, Pakistan’s No.1 LED TV brand, TCL Electronics, brings the biggest Football E-Gaming Event, “TCL Gamers League 2022,” with a massive prize pool of PKR 1.5 million. Registration for the league has started. Mark your calendars for the 12th and 13th of November for Karachi Qualifier which will be held at Lucky One Mall and 18th and 19th of November for Lahore Qualifier followed by Grand Finale on the 20th November at Packages Mall. The series of events will be full of exciting games and surprises for families, and TCL will be giving away cash prizes and led TVs for the participants. The main aim of TCL is to promote eSports, gather all the football fans under one roof and provide them with the best gaming experience in the world. The participants will be competing with each other on TCL’s latest C series, which includes Mini LED TVs and QLED TVs and have the most advanced gaming features: 144 Hz VRR 120 Hz MEMC Game Master HDMI 2.1 Free Sync Premium and much more Talking about the biggest gaming event, the Head of Marketing TCL Pakistan, Mr. Majid Khan Niazi, said: “When it comes to motivating youth and their talent, TCL has always been at the forefront to promote esports. By providing this incredible platform, TCL wishes to highlight Pakistan’s talent by facilitating gamers with the best gaming experience in the world.” TCL has maintained a position as the leading player in the Global Consumer Electronics industry. With a global presence in over 150 countries, the brand is working towards building a prominent position in the Pakistani electronics market by offering high-end technology at affordable prices.

 

•  Visa Masters of Movement auction on Crypto.com features NFTs inspired by iconic goals scored by five legendary footballers, with all auction proceeds benefitting UK charity Street Child United.
• Fans can create their own personalized digital art on a digital pitch at FIFA Fan Festival™ in Doha, Qatar.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)  Visa (V: NYSE), the exclusive payment services partner of FIFA, today unveiled Visa Masters of Movement, a first-of its-kind hybrid experience featuring a pre-event NFT auction and immersive activation for fans at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The Visa Masters of Movement auction features digital art inspired by iconic goals from five legendary footballers that have been minted into unique NFTs, available now on Crypto.com. Later this month, the Visa Masters of Movement experience will come to life on an interactive pitch at the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Doha, Qatar and will allow fans to create digital art inspired by their own signature movements.  Eligible fans will have the option to mint this digital art into their own NFT in partnership with Crypto.com, the official cryptocurrency trading platform sponsor of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

“Visa Masters of Movement is a unique recreation of the experience of seeing iconic movements in digital art form. What we want to show is that the Visa network enables fluid and seamless movement of money around the world, just as the best football players move across the pitch,” said Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the GCC at Visa. “As the world comes together to celebrate FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Visa is proud to partner with Crypto.com to uplift the local communities by supporting Street Child United. We believe that when everyone is included, everyone wins.”

Akshay Chopra, Vice President and Head of Innovation & Design at Visa Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, added: “Now at the center of payments conversations globally, NFTs have given new impetus for the creator economy, particularly in art and sports. As the region that minted Visa’s first NFT globally, we are delighted that the Masters of Movement NFTs are being launched at our CEMEA Innovation Center, and excited to be able to share this amazing experience with everyone, everywhere.”

Bid Now on Crypto.com

Starting today (12:00pm GMT) through November 8 (9:00pm GMT), football fans can bid on the Visa Masters of Movement NFTs on Crypto.com. The auction brings together five unique works of art inspired by iconic FIFA World Cup™ and FIFA Women’s World Cup™ goals from legendary footballers: Jared Borgetti, Tim Cahill, Carli Lloyd, Michael Owen and Maxi Rodriguez minted into NFTs. The digital artwork was designed using an algorithm by award-winning XK Studios which transformed the iconic movements into dynamic works of art.

A unique collector’s item, fans with the highest bid for each NFT at the close of the auction will receive the NFT in their Crypto.com wallet along with a high-quality printable art file and signed memorabilia from the legendary player featured in the NFT. Visa will grant all auction proceeds to Street Child United, a charitable organization incorporated and operating in the United Kingdom, whose mission is to tackle the widespread stigma that street-connected children face globally.

“We are thrilled to partner with Visa to give fans a new way to engage with and experience the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ while benefiting Street Child United,” said Stuart Isted, General Manager, Middle East and Africa at Crypto.com. “it’s an honor to partner with such iconic global brands and football legends to bring the game to life through art.”

Legendary Australian footballer Tim Cahill said: “In Visa Masters of Movement, the players are artists, and the playing field is their canvas. It’s amazing to see the way that one of my most memorable goals has been transformed into digital art and then minted into an NFT. I think that the community focus of the auction is even more impressive, with all proceeds benefitting Street Child United. I could not be prouder to be a part of this and to work with brands like Visa and Crypto.com that create such unique opportunities to give back to the community.”

 Fans Become Artists at FIFA Fan Festival™

At the center of the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Doha (November 19-December 18), Visa invites thousands of fans to create their own legendary moves in the free-standing Visa Masters of Movement space. Fans step onto a digital LED pitch outfitted with tracking technology to capture and transform their iconic movements into digital art.  Beyond taking a shot at a goal or showing off their skills while playing with other fans to create the personalized dynamic artwork, fans will choose the color scheme based on favorite national colors. Digital art will be emailed as a souvenir and eligible fans can also choose to receive the digital art minted as a one-of-a-kind NFT.

Throughout the immersive Visa Masters of Movement experience, fans can learn about new ways Visa is enabling the movement of money across the world, including emerging technologies like crypto, and other digital solutions that provide more people with access to the global economy.

Visa has been FIFA’s Official Payment Service Partner since 2007. As a global supporter of both men’s and women’s football around the world, Visa aims to offer experiences that bring people closer to the action, whether they are among the 1 million people anticipated in Qatar or the 5 billion viewers expected worldwide[1] for this year’s tournament. Always anticipating the next move in payments, Visa provides the latest in payments innovations at official FIFA venues and seeks ways to further its commitment to uplift lives through the power of sport through programs such as Financial Football, a video game that combines entertainment and education in an action-packed virtual football tournament.

For more information, please visit  Visa Masters of Movement and watch for additional FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ news and activities on Visa.com. 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood in a statement at the inauguration ceremony thanked the Bank of Punjab for extending every kind of support for the successful holding of 73rd edition of BOP Punjab Games. Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood said that the Sports and Youth Affairs Department Punjab is also going to launch the first-ever Athlete Card for the welfare of male and female athletes of the province in collaboration with the Bank of Punjab. Through first-ever Athlete Card, our sports stars can fulfill their needs in a respectful manner. “Definitely it is a revolutionary step for the well-being of national athletes and promotion of sports culture in the province,” he added. He said, “The delegations from all the provinces of Pakistan are also participating in the historic Punjab Games and we are determined to promote unity, solidarity and brotherhood among all the provinces of the country. All sections of the society including transgender and special athletes are given due importance and representation in the 73rd BOP Punjab Games”. Mr. Zafar Masud (President and CEO – The Bank of Punjab) in a statement on Wednesday lauded the Sports and Youth Affairs Department Punjab and Sports Board Punjab for organizing Punjab Games at such a large level. He announced that the first-ever Athlete card will be made more effective in the future so that the maximum number of athletes can utilize this great facility. Mr. Masud said, “Enhancing women’s participation in sports is a vital area that has historically been lacking. It is encouraging to know that women, transgenders, and Persons with Disabilities are participating in this mega-event. The participation of delegates from other provinces like Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh etc. has further enhanced the diversity of this event. Our cooperation with the Sports and Youth Affairs Department Punjab and Sports Board Punjab will continue in the future as well for the holding of more such glorious sports events”

CHRISTCHURCH (NUT DESK)  Captain Babar Azam’s half-century inspired Pakistan to their second win in the Twenty20 international tri-series in Christchurch on Saturday, coasting past New Zealand by six wickets.

Azam rode his luck in reaching 79 off 53 balls as his team took command of the series following their opening 21-run win over Bangladesh on Friday.

All three sides are using the week-long tournament at Hagley Oval to prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia.

New Zealand’s 147-8 after winning the toss looked inadequate and Azam’s knock took away any prospect of victory, steering the tourists to 149-4 with 10 balls to spare.

The hosts paid a heavy price for a straightforward dropped catch by Glenn Phillips at point off Tim Southee’s bowling when Azam was on 27.

The opener went on to post his 28th T20 international half-century, the equal second most alongside Rohit Sharma, with both sitting behind another Indian, Virat Kohli (33).

Southee snared the early wicket of Mohammad Rizwan – who scored a match-winning unbeaten 78 against Bangladesh – and the Pakistan middle order largely struggled aside from Shadab Khan’s 34 off 22 balls.

However, Azam’s presence meant his team were always in control.

The result was virtually sealed when he and Haider Ali took 21 runs off the final over of Blair Tickner (2-42), the third-last of the innings.

Azam said the rapid 61-run stand with Shadab for the third wicket gave an insight to a tactic they could employ at the World Cup, with the allrounder shifted up the order.

“Definitely, we have a plan to send Shadab up to charge the bowlers, to utilise his skills,” Azam said.

“He played very well. We planned that I would go all the way and Shadab would take a chance.”

Earlier, it took late blows from middle-order batsman Mark Chapman to revive a muddled New Zealand effort with the bat.

Chapman’s 32 off 16 balls followed solid innings from opener Devon Conway (36 off 35) and captain Kane Williamson (31 off 30), although both struggled for timing during a 61-run stand for the second wicket.

It was another frustrating outcome for the accomplished Williamson, who has passed 50 on just two occasions in all formats over the last 18 months, a period that has encompassed 29 innings.

He was clean-bowled attempting a slog-sweep off spinner Mohammad Nawaz, while Chapman holed out to a slower ball from Pakistan’s best bowler, paceman Haris Rauf (3-28).

New Zealand face Bangladesh in the third match of the series on Sunday.

• “So many of our superstars of the 70s, and 80s were products of school cricket. This partnership with Bank Alfalah will develop and groom the superstars of tomorrow. In the last one year, we have made unprecedented investment in pathway and grassroots cricket,” says Ramiz Raja.
•  “Bank Alfalah stands proud of its longstanding partnership with PCB and together we’ve continued to support the shared passion for cricket in all these years working in collaboration,” says President and CEO of Bank Alfalah Atif Bajwa.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  In order to revive school cricket across the country, the Pakistan Cricket Board and Bank Alfalah have entered a four-year partnership. The signing ceremony between the two parties was held today at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. As per the partnership agreement, the PCB and Bank Alfalah will jointly organise a school tournament each year in which 120 schools (to be shortlisted by the PCB) will participate.

The PCB and Bank Alfalah will conduct nationwide school drives for making program-based interventions to harness & nurture youth with a strong passion for cricket.

With the growth of the partnership over the four-year period, the school participation will increase to 900 schools across the country as part of PCB’s grand plan of developing and sustaining a quality schools competition that will not only identify but will also nurture and groom future cricket stars.

A total of 105 PCB designated and approved grounds will be used for school cricket tournaments in this four-year period.

 PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “We have entered another exciting partnership for the development of cricket. School cricket was one of our strengths in the years gone by but unfortunately we were not able to sustain organised and effective cricket systems in schools in recent years.

“As such, this partnership is monumental for us and I want to thank Bank Alfalah for aligning with us in the much needed initiative. Our aim is not only to revive school cricket but also to develop and sustain it for a long period hence we have launched this initiative with Bank Alfalah.

“So many of our superstars of the 70s, and 80s were products of school cricket. This partnership will develop and groom the superstars of tomorrow. In the last one year, we have made unprecedented investment in pathway and grassroots cricket and this investment will surely benefit Pakistan cricket for the next decade or two.”

President and CEO Bank Alfalah Atif Bajwa: “Bank Alfalah stands proud of its longstanding partnership with PCB and together we’ve continued to support the shared passion for cricket in all these years working in collaboration.

“The current performance of the cricket team is a testament to the devotion and determination of Pakistanis taking the sport to newer heights. At the heart of our partnership lies the idea to help build future cricketers and provide them with the opportunities to shine at the national as well as international level.”

Mastercard expands decades-long football legacy through GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title with Luis Figo

Please watch the video here.

•  World record set with game played at 20,230 ft (6166.1 m) in zero gravity by football legend Luis Figo and a team of football heroes from across the globe.
• Mastercard’s new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title recognizes the world’s most popular sport as a celebration of the human spirit, igniting passion and pride for millions every day.

Pakistan (Nut Desk)   Mastercard has set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the ‘Highest Altitude Game of Football (Soccer) on a Parabolic Flight’ alongside football legend Luis Figo and a diverse team of football heroes from across the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.

The first-of-its-kind football game was played at an altitude of 20,230 ft (6166.1 m) in zero gravity conditions, taking the game to a place where no match has gone before. Through this campaign, Mastercard is celebrating the world’s love for football by taking fans’ passion for the beautiful game to unprecedented heights.

The out-of-this-world game between two four-player teams was played on 20 August 2022. Football legend Luis Figo was on board with seven other players selected to earn their place on the historic flight. The record was presented by an Official Adjudicator from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ and verified by two witnesses as Figo effortlessly dribbled the ball across a 75 square meter football field specially set inside the aircraft.

The MENA region was represented by the team captain, Hamad Mohammad Hassan and Yasmian Ghanem AlSharshani from Qatar, a market that has become a global hub for sporting excellence and a leading destination for tourists and sporting enthusiasts alike. The other players of the record-setting game were Rhiannon Ishmael, Jonny Fines, Deydson Rocha, Begad Mostafa, and Farah Jefry.

“As a long-standing partner of the UEFA Champions League since 1994, Mastercard is committed to supporting the game at every level by connecting people to their passions and providing Priceless moments to fans across the globe. We are thrilled to have set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the highest altitude game of football on a parabolic flight alongside legend Luís Figo and our seven everyday heroes,” said Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, EEMEA, Mastercard.

Luis Figo, a Mastercard ambassador, has been part of several Priceless surprises around the world, captivating audiences with his experiences as a top player. Figo, the 2000 Ballon d’Or recipient, played for some of Europe’s best clubs including Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, winning 127 caps for the Portugal national team.

 “Football transcends boundaries and unites people around the world. I have played in stadiums where the electric atmosphere sparks emotions that cuts across cultures and nationalities; this was the exact same experience I had playing this beautiful game at 20,000 feet above ground with a group of fearless football fanatics taking their passion for the sport to unprecedented heights,” remarked Figo.

“Football continues to be a sport enjoyed in every corner of the world. At Guinness World Records™, we meet people with different backgrounds every day. By declaring this new achievement Officially Amazing™, we hope it will contribute to bringing communities together through the shared love of the sport and the excitement of seeing incredible records being broken,” said Shaddy Gaad, Senior Marketing Manager – Guinness World Records™.

Mastercard has a rich history of connecting people to their passions, their enthusiasm for sport, and bringing them once-in-a-lifetime experiences. During Expo 2020 Dubai, Mastercard hosted its Priceless Surprises series to connect guests to their passions at the global event. Among its hero activities, the company presented football enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to meet Luis Figo as well as a chance to see the UEFA Champions League Trophy, bringing football fans closer to the sports icon.

Mastercard partners with a range of organizations across sports, music, fashion, arts and entertainment around the world. Mastercard’s partnership with UEFA Champions League dates back to 1994 and the brand has been an active supporter of women’s football for more than 25 years.

Log on to Priceless.com to learn more and discover the range of priceless experiences around the world made possible by Mastercard.

The ‘Highest Altitude Game of Football on a Parabolic Flight’ game can be watched here.

 

Pakistan (Nut Desk) Ramiz Raja, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) saying that the team can win the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup, which begins next month.The PCB chief continued to say he tries to communicate to Babar Azam that he will have to win every single match. “I ask Babar Azam to always keep this pressure on him as the memory of cricket fans is very short.”

GameBird’s House of Blood becomes first Pakistani team to win an international Esports title.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) GameBird’s official team House of Blood, becomes the first Pakistani team to win the Free Fire international Esports title at the Free Fire Invitational Showdown 2022 against Nepal.

The Free Fire Invitational is a recurring series of international Esports competitions that take place annually between two finalist countries. This year’s competition was held between Pakistan and Nepal from 12-14 August, 2022. House of Blood came back from the brink of a loss on day three of the tournament to win the Battle Royale and the tile.

House of Blood is the official partner of GameBird – Telenor Pakistan’s official Esports platform. The team has previously won FFCS (Free Fire Champion Series 2020) powered by Telenor Pakistan, Free Fire Eternal Battle Season 1, and the FFPLIII (Free Fire Pakistan League) partnered with GameBird. They recently represented Pakistan in one of the biggest Esports leagues in the world – the Free Fire World Series 2022 – in Singapore.

Pakistan’s premier Esports platform, GameBird is on a mission to generate a complete Esports ecosystem in Pakistan by providing players with the opportunity to unleash their potential in Esports. The platform is bringing Pakistan’s gaming and Esports communities the unique opportunity to experience a one-stop gaming platform. Video game enthusiasts can live stream and participate in tournaments, find top-quality gaming merchandise, browse news, make purchases, and much more.

GameBird hopes to provide the untapped talent in Pakistan with even more opportunities like the Free Free Invitational Showdown 2022 in the international arena through this platform.