Setka Cup, the illustrious table tennis tournament organized by BETER Sports, is marking a significant milestone as it celebrates its fifth anniversary. With remarkable accomplishments and a promising future ahead, this tournament has seen unprecedented growth over the years. In an exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, Maria Mashchenko, General Manager of BETER Sports, and Nikolay Vernydub, Head of Operations, shed light on the tournament’s evolution and the challenges they’ve overcome in its development.
Five Years of Triumph:
Since its inception, Setka Cup has made incredible progress. The team behind the tournament has gained invaluable experience, continuously enhancing the product and providing an exceptional experience to players. The core values of fair play and professionalism have been ingrained since day one, and an unwavering commitment to integrity underpins every aspect of the tournament.
Setka Cup’s journey began in Kyiv with one arena but has since expanded to encompass three countries—Ukraine, Moldova, and the Czech Republic—across 12 arenas. This vast network allows for over 9,000 matches per month, accumulating more than 22 million views. These matches are complemented by 24/7 live streaming, data feeds, and odds. Last year, the introduction of the iFrame solution elevated the user experience, offering an interface similar to Twitch, enabling bet placement while enjoying the thrill of the game.
Overcoming Challenges:
The path to success was not without its challenges. In the early days, the team had a limited understanding of what was required to bring Setka Cup to fruition. However, over the years, they’ve honed their processes, introduced new features, and expanded their reach. A significant milestone was developing a clear process framework and allocating tasks effectively. This allowed them to overcome challenges, including competition from other tournaments, and establish Setka Cup as one of the premier commercial table tennis tournaments worldwide.
Maintaining Integrity Standards:
Integrity has always been at the core of Setka Cup. The tournament upholds fair play principles, a hallmark of professional sports and quality tournaments. The establishment of an in-house Integrity Department has been instrumental in ensuring that all BETER tournaments adhere to rigorous fair play standards.
Engaging with the Sports Community:
Setka Cup collaborates with more than 1,100 sports professionals who participate in the tournaments. This inclusive approach values all participants equally, whether they are players, umpires, administrators, or managers. Providing the right environment is crucial, including professionally designed arenas, top-notch equipment, and comfortable recreational areas, to enable tournament participants to perform at their best.
Future Plans and Evolvement:
The future of Setka Cup is bright, with ongoing improvements in the pipeline. This includes expanding the number of events, entering new countries, and partnering with local table tennis federations. Content development and elevating production value are also top priorities. BETER Sports now extends its reach by offering live streaming, data, and odds for national table tennis championships in countries like Colombia and India, broadening its global footprint.
Continued Evolution:
Setka Cup will continue to evolve, focusing on balanced player levels, enhanced stream quality, and strategic match timings for optimal audience engagement. Expansion beyond Setka Cup is on the horizon, with plans to partner with national federations and replicate the success achieved in Colombia.
Performance and Strategic Goals:
The first half of the year has seen remarkable success in maintaining high participation levels in Setka Cup tournaments. The strategic objective is to sustain the tournament’s quality and expand into new markets.
Participation in SiGMA Asia:
Asia holds strategic significance for BETER Sports, and the upcoming SiGMA Asia event provides a platform to engage with operators and stakeholders. It’s an opportunity to showcase the diverse product range, including Setka Cup, the basketball league BSKT CUP, and the ping-pong tournament “Ping Pong Point.” These offerings provide an engaging and entertaining experience, and BETER Sports looks forward to raising awareness of their products at the event.
As Setka Cup marks its fifth anniversary, it stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment of the BETER Sports team. The journey has been filled with growth, challenges, and unwavering integrity, laying a strong foundation for a promising future. BETER Sports continues to innovate and expand, setting new standards in the world of table tennis tournaments.