Blockchain has created backbone of new internet – Natalie du Toit [Opinion]

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.

“Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination. The heroes standing with me are examples of this power.

“They are valiant not only in the playing field, but also in the community, both local and international. They are champions and they deserve the world’s recognition.

“Together they represent an active, vigorous Hall of Fame. A Hall of Fame that goes out into the world, spreading help, inspiration and hope. Their legacy will be an international community where the rules of the game are the same for everyone, and behaviour is guided by fair play and good sportsmanship.” – Nelson Mandela.

These words as said by former President Nelson Mandela back in the year 2000 and the generation Y2K were and are wise beyond their years and will forever live on and become a reality.

‘I have learned so much on my journey so far, SportsPodium is on a path that could change the sports world and solve so many problems we are facing today’

It is often that a true leader does not get to see their work or what their words can achieve by “planting a seed” within their own lifetimes. This quote epitomises the exact reason why I became involved in a project like Sports Podium.

Imagine developing anyone and everyone who would like to be a sportsperson. The lessons learned, the growth potential and the ability to improve lives in ways that many cannot fathom at this present moment, not to mention creating original methods of sustaining a lifestyle and opportunities. Levelling the playing field one step at a time.

A new type of internet

Excuse the rather overused term “untapped potential”, but this term describes sport, business and technology all-around.

What is this mind-blowing technology that will enable potential in Sport? The ingenious invention of Satoshi Nakamoto, named Blockchain allows digital information to be distributed but not changed. Blockchain technology created the backbone of a new type of internet.

Originally devised for the digital currency, Bitcoin, the tech community is now finding other potential uses for the technology of which SportsPodium is one such type cryptocurrency and project.

The fundamentals of finding a project that will benefit from a cryptocurrency is out of this world exciting. The new generation is all about coding and innovating to increase job opportunities and growing opportunities to earn money.

As we live with three generations all trying to succeed, we look forward to the new wave of transparency, new style leadership, growth and untapped potential.

Sirius platform

SportsPodium is part of this exciting wave, using a new blockchain platform called Sirius with mobile application abilities and smart tokens to link with the general public easier and simpler.

We are the link for the reward and the value while creating a long overdue, completely transparent sports information database for amateur sports people. This will enable fairness, merit and equal opportunity as the benchmark for competition as well as rewards.

SportsPodium will create an open, engaging platform for sports lovers across the globe to share in the excitement of fitness and sport.

This new-generation smart blockchain uses a consensus algorithm from the Proof-of-Stake family and for this reason does not require the high expenses associated with mining to operate the chain. Our currency is called a POD or Proof of Diligence coin as this is our core focus for rewarding our community.

There is much information that has been shared, but to sit back and think what opportunities, what achievements, what experiences I would have had, had this existed when I was growing up are endless and without boundaries.

Merging technology ideals with real-world constraints

I guess one could say that asking this specific question is the equivalent to asking where I would have been or what I would have achieved as a sports person should I have not had my motorcycle accident. My response to that is: it has happened.

Grab every opportunity possible, allow yourself to grow and be the best that you can be by experiencing all that is possible. It costs you nothing but time, energy, experience and the drive to be you.

Creating a tech startup is very challenging to say the least. One has to merge the technology ideals with real-world constraints — and opportunities.

I have learned so much on my journey so far and am excited for everything still to come. Sports Podium is on a path that could change the sports world and solve so many problems we are facing today.

I am looking forward to a better future for sports people.

Read more: Natalie du Toit linked startup Sports Podium launches app to track golf scores
Read more: SA swimmer Natalie du Toit connected to new ICO to target amateur sports sector

Natalie du Toit is a Paralympic SA swimming star and is the community development officer at Sports Podium

Featured image: SA Paralympic swimmer Natalie du Toit (Startup Grind Pretoria via Facebook)