Seminar held on International Women's Day, celebrates the strength and resilience of single mothers in the workforce and discuss the challenges they face in balancing work and parenting.In commemoration of International Women's Day, a seminar was held on March 8th at the BESF Basecamp to recognize and celebrate the remarkable strength and resilience of single mothers in the workforce.The seminar, titled "single mothers and professional life" brought together women and men to discuss the challenges that single mothers face in raising children while holding down multiple jobs. Participants shared their personal experiences and offered guidance to those in attendance, creating an empowering and supportive atmosphere.Lila Gibran from the non-profit organization, Relais Mamans Solo, spoke about the support her organization provides to single mothers and the importance of community in overcoming challenges. Najima El Arbaoui, a single mom and entrepreneur, shared her journey and how she manages to balance work and motherhood.Samy Bessi, president of the BESF, also spoke at the event, highlighting the role of technology in providing opportunities for single mothers. He emphasized the possibilities of remote work, which could allow mothers to be with their children while also pursuing their careers.Special guest of the evening, Françoise Schepmans, Vice President of Le Réseau des femmes parlementaires, shared her experience working with women parliamentarians from around the world and the importance of supporting single mothers in the workforce. Schepmans shared her insights into the challenges that single mothers face and the need for policies that recognize and address their unique needs in the workplace.The message of the evening was clear: single mothers are not alone. Despite the challenges they face, they have the strength and determination to be their own best company, to take charge of their own lives, and to make their own decisions without being overshadowed by others.The seminar was a resounding success, inspiring attendees and giving hope to single mothers everywhere. It demonstrated the power of community and the importance of coming together to support those who face difficult challenges in their day-to-day lives.

Discover how BESF celebrated the strength of single mothers in the workforce on International Women's Day through a seminar that discussed their challenges in balancing work and parenting.

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Honoring Single Mothers at Work on International Women's Day

Mikail Gonen emerged as the new Belgian eFootball champion after defeating Jon Bruno in a close best-of-three match, and will represent Belgium on the European and world stage.Last Sunday (27/02/2023), the Belgian&nbsp;Esports Federation (BESF) held its highly anticipated eFootball championship. After an online qualification, the best 16&nbsp;players battled it out, live at the BESF Basecamp.&nbsp;Mikail Gonen&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;faced off against Jon Bruno&nbsp;in the final, resulting&nbsp;in a thrilling best-of-three (BO3) match that ended with Mikail emerging victorious with a close 2-1 win.&nbsp;Mikail is now set to represent Belgium on the European and world stage. He's no stranger to this level of play and is feeling confident and ready to take on the best of the best.&nbsp;Nevertheless,&nbsp;Mikail plans to keep training&nbsp;tirelessly to maintain his form and keep competing at the highest level.In a statement after his win,&nbsp;Mikail thanked his fans and promised to keep pushing Belgian eFootball forward.&nbsp;He then urged fans to follow closely as Belgium prepares to conquer the European and world stage.The final podium saw Mikail take first place, with Jon Bruno coming in second and Ismail in third. It was an unforgettable day filled with tons of exciting matches that came down to details and seconds.&nbsp;

Mikail Gonen is the new Belgian eFootball champion, having emerged victorious in a close best-of-three final against Jon Bruno. He is now set to represent Belgium on the European and world stage, and plans to continue training tirelessly to maintain his form. Follow closely as Belgium prepares to conquer the eFootball world.

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Belgium crowns Mikail Gonen as its new eFootball champion! 

The Belgian Esports Federation (BESF) is hosting Talent Days for new substitutes for its men's national CS:GO team to identify and recruit fresh talent to represent the country at the highest level of competitive gaming.The Belgian Esports Federation (BESF) has announced that it will be hosting Talent Days for new substitutes for its men's national CS:GO team. The initiative is aimed at identifying and recruiting fresh talent to represent the country at the highest level of competitive gaming.The Talent Days will provide male players with an opportunity to showcase their skills and prove themselves to the BESF's talent scouts and coaches. Players who stand out the most will be offered a position on the national team's substitute roster, where they will have the chance to compete at the highest level alongside some of the best CS:GO players in the country.The BESF is encouraging all interested male players to sign up for the qualification and talent days via its Discord channel. Signups will remain open until the end of February, so players who want to take advantage of this opportunity should act fast. The organization has emphasized that players of all skill levels are welcome to sign up and that the Talent Days are intended to provide an opportunity for talented players who might otherwise go unnoticed.Interested? You can join through this discord <a href="https://discord.gg/9BQH3br3Xv">link</a>. Further communication will follow soon!

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BESF to Host Talent Days for its National CS:GO Team

The Belgian esports federation (BESF) has launched its first-ever women's qualification for the national Counter Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO) team as part of its initiative to boost the women's esports scene in Belgium.The Belgian esports federation (BESF) is set to make a significant stride towards gender equality in esports with the launch of its first-ever women's qualification for the national Counter Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO) team. The BESF is committed to developing and supporting women's esports in Belgium, and this landmark initiative is part of its broader efforts to revive the country's CS:GO scene.As part of its initiative to boost the women's CS:GO scene, the BESF is hoping to develop more female teams and players in the country. The BESF's newly announces commission has put in place several measures to support women's esports, including this women's qualification for the national team.The BESF is inviting all female CS:GO players to register for the national team's qualification process through its Discord channel. With the women's qualification underway, the BESF is looking forward to discovering new talent and providing female esports players with a platform to showcase their skills. The registration period for the BESF women's qualification is open until the end of February, so now is the time for aspiring female CS:GO players in Belgium to step up and make their mark on the world stage.Are you the one we are looking for? join us <a href="https://discord.gg/P3Y7YEWkhA">here</a>! Further communication will follow soon!

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BESF Sets Out to Boost Women's Esports in Belgium With National CS:GO qualifier.

The Belgian Esports Federation (BESF) has recently announced the formation of its new CS:GO commission with the aim of revitalizing the Belgian CS:GO scene. The announcement comes as CS:GO, the popular tactical shooter game developed by Valve Corporation continues to break new records ten years after its initial release. The BESF has created a new commission with a strong focus on the Belgian scene. The official commissioners, who are well-known figures in the Belgian esports community, have been hand-picked to lead the charge in this mission. The commissioners include Nicolas "v1d" De Grove, a former captain and player for the Belgian national team, Anton "AntO_oNNN" Van Gorp, an Assistant-Coach of tier one team Complexity Gaming, Hendrik "BugZ" Noben, the CS:GO team manager of KRC Genk, and Samy Bessi, the commissioner of competition at the BESF. The newly appointed commissioners are determined to reignite the Belgian esports scene and have already laid out plans to achieve this goal. With their vast experience and deep understanding of the local scene, they are poised to make significant changes in the Belgian CS:GO scene. The BESF is excited about the potential of the new commission and hopes that this initiative will lead to increased participation, better support for players, and ultimately, more success for Belgian CS: GO teams &amp;&nbsp; on the global stage.&nbsp;Expect to see exciting developments in the Belgian esports scene in the coming months. Stay tuned for further updates and announcements as they unfold.

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The Belgian Esports Federation (BESF) proudly announces it's new CS:GO commission.

Last week, the Belgian Esports Federation (BESF) has appointed a new General Secretary, Jarne Rainaud, who brings determination and passion for Esports to the role.The Belgian Esports Federation (BESF) has announced the appointment of a new general secretary, Jarne Rainaud. Although Jarne may be new to the role, he brings a strong determination and passion for Esports to the table. As the demand for Esports continues to rise in Belgium, Jarne will take on the task of ensuring the federation runs smoothly and continues to establish itself as a key player in the Belgian Esports sector.Jarne is eager to take on the challenge and is determined to make a positive impact on the organization. In his new role, Jarne will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the federation and working closely with the board of directors to develop and implement strategies for growth and success. The BESF is committed to promoting and supporting Esports in Belgium and is confident that Jarne's enthusiasm and dedication will lead the organization to achieve its goals.For anyone interested in learning more about the BESF or getting involved in Esports in Belgium, Jarne can be contacted at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Jarne@besf.be">Jarne@besf.be</a> or on LinkedIn. The BESF is excited to have Jarne on board and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds.&nbsp;

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Belgian Esports Federation Welcomes Determined New General Secretary Jarne Rainaud

The eLions, Belgium's elite Esports basketball team, put on a valiant effort in the second eFIBA European Qualifier but came up just short of advancing to the next round.&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:justify;">The eLions are Determined to Bounce Back in Future Qualifiers</h2>It was a nerve-wracking day for the eLions as they competed in the second eFIBA Season European Qualifier. Placed in Group B, the team faced off against some tough competition in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Cyprus, and Lithuania.Despite winning against Cyprus (68-38) and Lithuania (60-49), the eLions were unable to secure a spot in the next round, losing close matches to Portugal (62-58) and Germany (47-74) and falling to Spain (52-70). The tension in the air was tangible as each game came down to the wire, leaving the fate of the eLions in their own hands.Players Bryan Badjie, Julien Leitner, Emrecan Orhan, Bilal Raddouh, and Shawn Vervaeke all put in strong performances for the eLions, but it wasn't enough to advance. Despite the loss, the team remains determined to improve and come back stronger in future competitions.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">FIBA and BESF, a calculated 3-pointer!&nbsp;</h2>The partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Belgian Esports Federation (BESF) started two years ago with back-and-forth meetings between Mark Bogaerts and Samy Bessi. The meetings seemed successful as the eFIBA European Qualifier was hosted by the Belgian Esports Federation (BESF) at the Gare Maritime Base Camp in Brussels. The event was live-streamed on Twitch and had over 100 live viewers in attendance at the base camp, adding to the already high-pressure atmosphere.&nbsp;Currently, a captain has been chosen by the BESF to form the team, but the federation is optimistic that as the number of NBA2K fans in Belgium increases, it will be able to host a Belgian Cup in the future as a way to discover and nurture local talent.The successful event marks a big step forward for the FIBA in the world of Esports, and the eLions will be sure to be back to compete again in future tournaments.

The eLions, Belgium's elite Esports basketball team, put on a valiant effort in the second eFIBA European Qualifier but came up just short of advancing to the next round. 

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eLions Roar in Close Defeat during the eFIBA European Qualifier.

<h2>Thursday, January 5th – Seminar Esports performance and coaching: the ins and outs&nbsp;</h2>After a short introduction of the BESFs 5 Pillars and a general outline by Jos Verschueren, the director of postgraduate sports at the VUB and BESF commissioner for education and research, the seminar began by discussing various topics related to coaching and performance in the esports scene.<h3>Markus Moëckel about the working of the Esports Bund Deutschland (ESBD)&nbsp;</h3>Markus, the head of the German Esports Federation's academy, spoke about the creation and goals of the ESBD and its academy. As a sports scientist and sport psychological coach, Markus emphasized the crucial role that coaches play in esports at every level, from grassroots to the top 0.01%. However, he noted that there is still a lack of awareness and expectations for coaches in the field. In response to this gap, the ESBD established its academy to provide a curriculum for coaches at all levels. The aim of the ESBD academy is to increase awareness of the importance of coaching in esports and to have more educated coaches in the industry.&nbsp;<h3>Matthew Watson &amp; James ‘Torok’ Thomsen about the International Federation of Esports Coaches (IFoEC)&nbsp;</h3>Matthew Watson, director of Learning and Development at the International Federation of Esports Coaches (IFoEC) and James Thomsen, Coach and student of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick performed a well-coordinated duet between the two, continuously altering between theory and practice. Matthew shared his concerns about the lack of focus on player development and the shift in motivation from intrinsic (playing for fun) to extrinsic (needing to win to keep one's job) in esports organizations. He also discussed the physical and emotional toll this shift can take on players, including the risk of burnout and depression. Parallel to this, Matthew's studies have proven that there is a lack of clear career paths for coaches, who often must focus on short-term goals in order to prove themselves worthy rather than on long-term development. James, a coach since the age of 16, corroborated many of Matthew's observations and provided personal insights from his own career. He also expressed a desire for more support in reaching the top levels of coaching in esports.&nbsp;<h3>Anton Van Gorp his findings as a Complexity CS:GO analyst and assistant Coach&nbsp;</h3>Following a short coffee break, Anton, the CS:GO analyst and assistant coach for Complexity, shared his expertise as a coach and analyst for the team. Anton highlighted the importance of team balance in achieving success, stating that the right combination of egos, roles, and personalities is necessary for a team to perform at its best. He emphasized that it is not always necessary to have the best players individually, but rather the right mix of players who can work together effectively. Continuing the theme of team balance, Anton emphasized the importance of team balance and the role of the coach in achieving it. A good coach should listen to and adapt to the needs of their players, rather than imposing a playstyle that does not fit the team. Anton noted that a coach who is willing to learn and adapt is crucial for success, while a bad coach might hinder it by forcing a mismatched playstyle.&nbsp;<h3>Matthias Dewilde on battling game addiction with gamechangers&nbsp;</h3>Matthias, the co-founder of GameChangers, an organization dedicated to addressing game addiction, started his presentation that began with a personal biography about his own experiences with gaming. As a young man, Matthias found himself increasingly isolated and consumed by games like FIFA and World of Warcraft, neglecting other hobbies and relationships. However, a power outage forced him to confront his own loneliness and lack of social skills, and he began working on himself and building relationships outside of gaming. This led him to start GameChangers, where he provides support and coaching to people struggling with similar issues, using a structured approach. Matthias also helps (re)connect parents with their children and help them navigate the world of online gaming.&nbsp;<h3>Rudy Heylen wrapping up esports in brief&nbsp;</h3>Rudy Heylen, a mental coach and owner of Heavy Mental, concluded the seminar with a summary of the presentations given by the other speakers. Rudy described coaches as having a presence in every aspect of the esports industry, like a centipede with many legs. He also emphasized the importance of coaches being open to concept of “not knowing” in order to handle situations effectively and help their players perform to their full potential. Rudy encouraged coaches to listen to their players and adapt to their needs rather than imposing their own ideas on the team. Overall, the third Esports seminar on performance and coaching, hosted by BESF, VUB, and EGO, was a success. Topics covered included the role of coaches in esports, the importance of team balance, and strategies for addressing game addiction. The seminar featured speakers who provided insights and expertise on these topics. Overall, the seminar offered valuable insights and discussion on key issues related to coaching and performance in the esports industry.

Learn about the crucial role of coaches in esports and the importance of team balance in achieving success at the Seminar on Esports Performance and Coaching. Hear from experts on the German Esports Federation's academy, the International Federation of Esports Coaches, and more.

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BESF and VUB to host third Esports seminar on performance and coaching 

After winning his first eFootball match against Djibouti (3-2, 3-2), Mikail 'FETIH1453ElTurco' Gonen defeated the Maldives (7-1, 5-1). He did well to beat Great Britain (2-0, 1-1, 3-1) in the round of 16, but lost unfortunately against the tournament favourites: Brazil. Then, Brazil won against Turkey and will play the tournament final against Iran tomorrow.&nbsp;In <a href="https://www.besf.be/teams/street-fighter">Street Fighter</a>, our Lotto Team representative Richard 'PiKaH' Donders won his first match against Libya but lost to Ghana.&nbsp;Congratulations to Mikail for joining the top 8! A great experience that will be remembered for a long time, see you at the next competition with the Belgian eSports federation!

A great experience that will be remembered for a long time, see you at the next competition with the Belgian eSports federation!  

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Mikail Gonen in the eFootball top 8 at the GEG 2022

The Belgian eSports Federation (BeSF) and the Lotto national team players have arrived at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti where the Global Esports Games 2022 will take place. Richard 'PiKaH' Donders will compete in <a href="/teams/street-fighter">Street Fighter</a> while our new representative, Mikail 'FETIH1453ElTurco' Gonen, will compete in <a href="/teams/eFootball">eFootball</a>.&nbsp;Our eFootball representative, Jon 'Milan7Jon' Bruno, was unfortunately unable to join the tournament due to a broken wrist. We wish him a speedy recovery.&nbsp;The first stages of the festivities start today: PiKaH will face the island of Guam under the Belgian tricolour flag and Mikail Gonen will face Djibouti in a BO3 format.&nbsp;Let's wish the best to our Lotto National Team!

he Belgian eSports Federation (BeSF) and the Lotto National Team players have arrived at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti.

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The Belgian delegation has arrived in Istanbul for the Global Esports Games 2022!

The Global Esports Games 2022 will be held from 15 to 17 December in the megalopolis of Istanbul!&nbsp;Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games will welcome athletes from all over the world, proudly representing their home nations and territories to compete at the highest level.&nbsp;Players from the national <a href="/teams/street-fighter">Street Fighter</a> and <a href="/teams/eFootball">eFootball</a> scene will fly to Istanbul to claim the title that is at stake.&nbsp;Let's wish the best to our Lotto National Team players : Richard Donders aka PiKaH and Jon Bruno aka Milan7Jon!

The Global Esports Games 2022 will be held from 15 to 17 December in the megalopolis of Istanbul

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The Global Esports Games 2022 will be held in Istanbul 

The CS:GO national team and the representatives of the Belgian Esports Federation were honourably received in the island city of Bali. 31 nations including Belgium were represented in this world-class competition.&nbsp;Belgium was in the qualifying group E with Germany, the Czech Republic and Montenegro. Belgium finished second in the group with two wins and one loss.&nbsp;Then came the play-offs: the first opponent, Mongolia, defeated our national team and went on to reach the quarter-finals with Germany.&nbsp;The Belgian team left with a wealth of experience that will help them in future competitions!

31 nations including Belgium were represented in this world-class competition.  

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