Sports | Sunday 2 February, 2020 11:09 am |

Meydan One and Galaxy Racer Esports today revealed key dates and details of the Middle’s East’s first-ever Interschool Esports Tournament, featuring FIFA 2020, which will take place from 21-22 February, 2020, at Meydan Grandstand, as part of the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival. The official Interschool Esports Tournament jersey has also been unveiled ahead of the highly anticipated event. The GIRLGAMER World Finals are set to take place in Dubai from 19-21 February, and ticket reservation is now open HERE.  

 

Following the overwhelming response to the Tournament since its announcement in September 2019, the organisers have officially opened it up to all schools across the UAE. Schools can sign up a maximum of two students for each competition. All participants will battle it out in a knockout tournament over the two days of the event. Registration is now open HERE. 

 

Open to boys and girls, the tournament will comprise two competitions played out over six-minute games of FIFA 20 – one for junior participants aged 6 to 11, and another for seniors aged 12 to 16. The hotly contested prizes will include scholarships worth AED 255,000. The winner of the senior tournament will receive AED 100,000, while the winner of the junior tournament will walk away with AED 70,000. Runners-up will receive AED 50,000 and AED 35,000 respectively.

 

The Interschool Esports Tournament is supported by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KDHA), 10X Media and the Dubai Sports Council. Combining their fields of expertise, these entities are seeking to transform Dubai into a gaming and esports hub where the industry can thrive.

 

Abdulla Al Mansoori, Team Leader of Dubai 10X Media said: “As part of our 10X strategy focused on transforming Dubai’s media industry with future-oriented projects, we are seeking to develop the city into a hub for sectors like esports that are riding the new wave of media convergence. The esports industry, which is largely focused on the youth, is one of the fastest growing media sectors in the region. Dubai 10X Media seeks to comprehensively engage the youth in the development of the esports industry, whose potential for development is immense.”

 

“Our support for the Interschool Esports Tournament is aligned with our efforts to invest in and support the grassroots development of esports talent and build a vibrant ecosystem for the growth of the sector. The Tournament will give wider opportunities for youth to showcase their talent and contribute to the growth of the sector,” he added. 

 

Commenting on The Interschool Esports Tournament, Paul Roy, CEO of Galaxy Racer Esports, said, “Since announcing the launch of the event back in September, we have been inundated with hugely positive feedback from schools, students and parents across the UAE.  

 

He added, “The Interschool Esports Tournament is the perfect platform to immerse the youth of the emirates in these tournaments, by introducing them to the US$140 billion-per-year gaming industry, educating them on the extensive career options on offer in esports, and entertaining them through an empowering competitive experience.”

 

Tournament organisers, Meydan One and Galaxy Racer Esports, have also confirmed TechXhub as the proud sponsor of the event. Techxhub is an industry-leading team of professionals with extensive experience of partnering with the best consumer technology brands, to deliver comprehensive retail management support to channel partners. 

 

Tournament organisers, Meydan One and Galaxy Racer Esports, have also confirmed Techxhub as the proud sponsor of the event. Techxhub, with their industry leading team of professionals and experience of partnering with the best consumer technology brands, is pioneering an ecosystem-driven business model for gaming. Engaging with all stakeholders involved in eSports, Techxhub facilitates the evolution of gaming into the mainstream and provides opportunities to experience best-in-class gaming hardware at multiple touchpoints, including esports events.

 

“The Interschool Esports Tournament is a path-breaking initiative to provide a platform for younger generations, as well as families, to explore and harness the positive aspects of gaming. We are grateful for the lead taken by all Governmental agencies to make this a reality,” said Sanjay Holmukhe, CEO of Techxhub.   

 

A career and education fair will also take place in conjunction with The Interschool Esports Tournament, where young, aspiring gamers and their parents will be able to explore career options and opportunities in gaming and esports. Esteemed industry speakers and educators from prominent universities that offer degrees in gaming will also be in attendance, to provide an overview of the gaming industry. Additionally, the fair will feature recruitment booths and stalls from gaming companies for visitors interested in exploring careers in gaming.

 

The Interschool Esports Tournament features FIFA 2020. With two of the previous FIFA eWorld Cup winners hailing from the Middle East, the market and buzz around the EA Sports franchise, as well as its potential for business growth through the e-gaming vehicle, is immense. Abdulaziz Alsheri was the first-ever Saudi national to win the global competition, when he was crowned winner at the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final in Munich, Germany, in 2015. In 2018, his countryman Mossad ‘MSdossary’ Aldossary won the first edition of the renamed FIFA eWorld Cup.