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Staffordshire University makes history in college esports
Students of Staffordshire University have achieved a unique success: becoming the UK’s first winning university team in Europe’s premier esports competition between colleges. Players of ‘Korean Pop Superstars (KPS)’ emerged victorious last weekend in VALORANT (Riot Games’ shooter title) at the Grand Final of UNIVERSITY Esports Masters (UE Masters), where they defeated their rivals from National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine (NUPESU) by a score of 3-2.
It was not an easy road to glory. British representatives had to overcome the continuous returns from the Ukrainian players, who demonstrated a tough competitive spirit throughout the Grand Final. However, it was a great sporting experience in which fair play prevailed between the two teams. In fact, students of KPS waited over an hour for their NUPESU’s counterparts due to a problem with the venue where they were competing.
All the clashes at the Grand Finals of UE Masters (both VALORANT and League of Legends) were played entirely in online format. Live streams of the showdowns on Twitch and X (formerly Twitter) accumulated more than 40,000 views throughout last weekend on two official social channels with over 11,000 followers.
A great victory for the UK
The win of KPS is a meaningful milestone for college esports in the UK. For the first time, a British team has been crowned as Champion of UE Masters, the most important esports tournament in the college ecosystem across Europe. Since the first edition of the competition in 2016, Great Britain has had representatives, but none had been able to lift the Championship title.
This group of five students from Staffordshire University, integrated by Diarmuid McGirr, Josh Green, Zain Lim, Stanley Lebon, and Ignas Kantauta as the main squad, have completed a successful performance in this edition of UE Masters: overcoming qualifiers, beating the best opponents, and positioning the UK at the top of the university esports in the continent.
One of the KPS integrants, Zain Lim, said: “Playing as a team has definitely been fun, competing with friends just created such an atmosphere where it felt like we would beat teams due to just having better vibes than them. I would recommend university esports to others. I felt it made gaming a more social-able hobby, as over 5 years of university, at two different unis, I have met a bunch of people.”
Find out more about VALORANT, the victory’s game
What is VALORANT? What does it consist of? It is one of the most wanted esports-games globally. This shooter title, developed by the giant Riot Games and released in 2020, is a 5v5 character-based tactical FPS where precise gunplay meets unique agent abilities. It also includes a lot of effects and advanced weapons to offer players a better first-person experience.
Millions of people have tested their tactical skills on VALORANT over the past few years. According to the specialized website Tracker Network, over 16 million active users have played VALORANT so far in July worldwide.
Beyond of a video game competition
UE Masters, supported by Riot Games, is the conclusion of the UNIVERSITY Esports season, a global program with a presence in 26 countries on four continents and involving more than 100,000 students from 2,000 universities.
The main objectives of UNIVERSITY Esports are to create a sense of community among players from all over Europe, to give them the opportunity to compete in high quality international tournaments and to provide avenues for young people to develop a career within the esports world, as well as to find a place to learn and enhance their skills.
In the UK and Ireland, UNIVERSITY Esports, a project organized by NUEL (a GGTech Entertainment’s company), has celebrated its 13th Season. The winners of its Winter Split, such as Staffordshire University, have been the national representatives in the outgoing edition of UE Masters.
The post Staffordshire University makes history in college esports appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Drafted.gg Achieves ESIC Gold Standard Accreditation, Joining a Distinguished List of Esports Betting Content Providers
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) today admits Drafted.gg into the ESIC Gold Standard accreditation following an extensive on-site audit. This prestigious recognition underscores Drafted.gg’s unwavering commitment to integrity, fair play, and robust security measures in esports.
The ESIC Gold Standard for esports betting products represents one of the highest bars in esports betting product compliance and integrity best practices. Fewer than a handful of organizations worldwide have demonstrated the advanced operational protocols, thorough oversight mechanisms, and consistent ethical standards necessary to pass the stringent requirements set by ESIC.
Achieving this level of accreditation signals an organization’s excellence in safeguarding against corruption, match manipulation, and unethical practices—all of which are critical to the continued growth and credibility of esports.
The comprehensive audit evaluated key areas essential to maintaining a fair and secure competitive environment. These areas included physical security, CCTV monitoring, communication device restrictions, referee oversight, and overall compliance with ESIC’s rigorous integrity program. Over the course of the audit, Drafted.gg demonstrated exceptional diligence, meticulous record-keeping, and a forward-thinking approach to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and fair play.
“Drafted.gg joins an elite circle of esports organizations that meet the exceptionally high bar of ESIC Gold Standard compliance,” said Ian Smith, Commissioner of ESIC. “Their rigorous approach to operational integrity meets the benchmark for best practices in esports. We welcome them into the ESIC Gold Standard for Betting Products category.”
The ESIC Gold Standard accreditation highlights Drafted.gg’s robust systems for upholding best practices within esports. From comprehensive background checks and secure access controls to high-quality production techniques, Drafted.gg exemplifies what is possible when an organization aligns every aspect of its operations with the principles of fair competition and ethical conduct. This accreditation also reinforces the integrity of Drafted.gg’s esports content—made available to operators through its partnership with Oddin.gg—helping sportsbooks access compliant, high-quality content for esports betting.
A representative from Drafted.gg remarked: “The entire management team at Drafted.gg is excited about this milestone, as passing ESIC’s Gold Standard audit validates the rigorous integrity measures built into Drafted.gg from day one. From match oversight to data security, Drafted.gg’s operations are designed to meet the highest standards in compliance. This accreditation is not just a milestone—it’s a statement of the company’s ongoing commitment to fair competition and trust in esports.”
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FBM Foundation brings hope, joy and essential aid to National Children’s Hospital
Bringing hope, joy and essential resources to children and families in need was the main purpose behind the FBM Foundation’s last initiative, in partnership with the National Children’s Hospital and Malasakit Center, on March 10th.
The social responsibility project of the FBM Group hosted a donation campaign delivering toys, school supplies, grocery essentials and critical medical equipment to improve the hospital’s services and bring comfort and joy to over 100 families.
The FBM Foundation aimed to make a meaningful impact on the operations of the National Children’s Hospital and the well-being of its patients. In response, employees from NTT and MEMO generously donated toys, art supplies, school supplies, baby wipes, clothing, and diapers. These contributions brought comfort and joy to young patients undergoing treatment at the hospital.
With the participation of 12 committed volunteers, this initiative counted with the direct involvement of Pepe Costa, FBM Foundation Representative, along with the celebrities Papa Jackson, Giselle Sanchez, and Daniel Matsunaga, who invested their time to bring a different enthusiasm to the day of these children.
Beyond the meaningful gifts, the FBM Foundation also provided critical medical equipment and supplies, such as gauze pads, underpads, wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, ECG machines, infusion pumps, nebulizers, and a vein locator apparatus. To complete the efforts of this donation campaign, the project delivered grocery essentials to 100 families facing medical challenges, offering much-needed support during difficult times.
Part of this initiative was possible by the funds raised from the Keepy-Uppy Charity Challenge during ICE Barcelona 2025. FBMDS not only showcased its latest iGaming innovations at the tradeshow but also turned visitor engagement into a tangible real-world impact. The Keepy-Uppy Charity Challenge successfully transformed participation into crucial donations, directly supporting vulnerable individuals through this important project at the National Children’s Hospital.
By combining the effects of these solidarity gestures, the FBM Foundation expects to improve the patient’s health care and enhance the hospital’s medical services. This initiative stands as a testament to the power of collective compassion by joining the dedication of 12 committed volunteers to the unwavering support of the FBM Foundation partners.
FBM Foundation continues its mission to create a lasting impact by promoting growth and well-being in communities around the world. Visit fbmfoundation.org to learn how you can help the project make a difference.
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London Waterfront Experience unveiled for iGB L!VE
iGB L!VE organisers have unveiled designs illustrating the stunning new waterfront social and business networking feature which will be launched at July’s edition, the first to be held in London.
Situated adjacent to the historic Royal Docks, the London Waterfront Experience will involve an iGB L!VE take-over of the Waterfront Street Kitchen and Bar part of ExCeL’s ‘Immerse LDN’ Dock Edge entertainment district. It will include a series of entertainment activations including a centrepiece barge which will be moored at the edge of the dock.
Heralding the exciting new feature which represents a celebration of iGB L!VE’s relocation to London, Global Portfolio Director Naomi Barton said: “ With London’s July sun shining and temperatures reaching the mid-twenties, iGB L!VE’s Waterfront Experience will serve as a dynamic networking and social space. Open throughout the show it will provide a vibrant London-inspired ‘twist’ on the social and business opportunities that the industry loves about iGB L!VE.”
She added: “The London Waterfront Experience will enhance iGB L!VE’s unique chemistry and help deliver another world class event with all elements of the igaming industry ecosystem coming together in a city which is widely regarded as being the heart of the igaming industry.
“iGB L!VE 2025 will deliver unparalleled business opportunities with attendees having free access to the sector’s most influential brands and igaming professionals, occupying over 22,000 sqm of cutting-edge innovation and inspiration.”
iGB L!VE’s relocation to London will enable the event brand to continue its upward trajectory and achieve an ambitious four-year plan targeting 30,000 visitors and 550+ exhibitors/sponsors by 2028.
The post London Waterfront Experience unveiled for iGB L!VE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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