KRC Genk Foundation launches Online FairPlay Cup

KRC Genk Foundation launches Online FairPlay Cup

After the Welfare Cup 10 years ago, the KRC Genk Foundation is launching a new concept for young people from special youth care and opportunity neighbourhoods. With the Online Fairplay Cup, the Genk community operation wants to alert and sensitise young people in a difficult home situation or with behavioural problems about Fairplay and digital pitfalls.

In 2013, KRC Genk started a unique project, the Welfare Cup. Today, 10 years later, 160 children from special youth care and some of Genk’s opportunity neighbourhoods play a football match every Wednesday afternoon for an entire season as part of the Welzijncup. The blue thread throughout that tournament: fair play. The KRC Genk Foundation previously received the prestigious European ECA Award for ‘Best Community & Social Responsability Program’ for this unique and warm project.

The success of the Welfare Cup gave the KRC Genk Foundation the idea of starting up a digital version of it. No better time than the launch of the new EA FC to also launch the Online Fairplay Cup.

“The KRC Genk Welfare Cup could blow out ten candles last season. The format we are now launching is similar to that of the Welfare Cup. It’s just that it has a digital twist and, together with partner ARAG, we also want to make participants more aware of digital pitfalls such as online hate speech, hacking and phishing.”

Niel Janssen, KRC Genk Foundation

Also signing up for the launch were Mark McKenzie and the KRC Genk esporters present. The American central defender of KRC Genk committed himself as an ambassador of the Online Fairplay Cup. In this way, he wants to teach young people with personal problems such as poverty or behavioural problems the rules around Fairplay. Because just like on the pitch, online rules are also important for an enjoyable match experience.

“As a pioneer in esports, KRC Genk is a leader within Belgium. A strength that at the same time offers an opportunity to commit ourselves more to children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods and special youth care. By launching a digital alternative alongside the physical Welfare Cup, we can reach and engage even more children in a process of mutual respect, togetherness and solidarity. Through their own world of interest, we teach them basic values and norms that they can reap the benefits of in everyday life.”

Erik Gerits, CEO