'As a girl gamer, I was told 'you're in the kitchen' – now I'm a pro at the Esports World Cup'
RIYADH: Players of Team Falcons Vega Mena, their participation in the Esports World Cup “Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's Invitational” is an inspiration to young women in the region who aspire to become professional esports players.
Saudi Arabian club Team Falcons Vega Mena got off to a tough start at the MWI on Thursday and were beaten in their matches by Russian side Victory Song Gamers and Vietnam's Zino Lillies, who topped Group C.
But with a $500,000 prize pool available, the largest in the history of women's esports, the team's stars say joining such a prestigious tournament on the biggest platform around is just an achievement — and an inspiration to others.
The tournament is being played in front of a capacity crowd of more than 8,000 at the SEF Arena in Riyadh City, along with millions of fans from around the world.
Velvet, a Falcons Vega Mena player from Giza in Egypt who has been a professional for eight months, said: “I've found it very competitive. We could have done better, but it was only because we were nervous. We've gained the experience we need to continue and learn how to do better in the future.
“The stage is huge. It's special to play on such a grand stage – it's really glorious. We'll take it to our graves. It's great that we got this far and we tried our best in the first two games, even though we didn't win.
“Never, never,” Velvet, whose real name is Hadeel Mahmoud, said when asked if he ever thought he would ever truly become a professional esports player, let alone play in the Esports World Cup.
“I'm living the dream. I didn't think esports would go viral and become this big and become a real paid job. I didn't even think of it as a profession.
“I always thought I'd go to a normal 24/7 job. And it's great that we can create something fun that you get paid for.”
Velvet, 21, hopes that girl gamers in the region, whether in Egypt, Saudi Arabia or wherever, will follow her example. “Yes, they can, they all can,” he added.
“I was once a girl that no one took seriously, and everyone looked down on me and said, 'Oh, you're just a girl, it's good for you not to be in such a thing – the kitchen is where you belong' and those kinds of comments.
“But that didn't stop me. I just kept going and I wanted to prove everyone wrong because I wanted to be an inspiration to little girls and everyone around me. So, I'm just sending a message that if I do it, they can do it. I'm the esports world. Playing in the cup, the biggest stage in the world.
“This is how the world works. You won't get there easily. You will get such toxic comments and stuff, but that shouldn't stop you from doing what you want. You just have to be patient and try your best and don't let any comment drag you down.”
Teammate fvvn, also Egyptian, echoed his sentiments. “Growing up I used to play games and spend time doing something I enjoyed and making new friends,” said fvvn, real name Alaa Ayman.
“But I never thought I'd get the chance to play in this kind of world-class competition with people I love.
“I think women's esports needs to be more accessible to girls and women around the Middle East – especially so that prize pools can allow us to be more independent and learn from experiences like this.”
She praised the fans in Riyadh. “The support we got was tremendous,” she said. “Fans everywhere in the hotel and arena were cheering for us. Their support was the highlight for us in the tournament. “
The MWI is an important addition to the Esports World Cup, which kicked off on July 3 at Boulevard Riyadh City and runs until August 25. The tournament reflects the growing presence of female gamers, who make up 48 percent of the 23.5 million gaming community. in Saudi Arabia.
The Esports World Cup, which has a $60 million prize pool, the largest in esports history, features a unique cross-game structure pitting top clubs and players against each other in 22 global competitions across 21 major sports.
More than 1,500 players, representing more than 60 nationalities, are competing in this summer's Esports World Cup. This week's fourth-week tournaments include “PUBG Mobile” and “Overwatch 2.”
