“As a girl gamer, I was told, 'you belong in the kitchen,' now I'm a pro at the eSports World Cup”
RIYADH: Falcons Vega MENA players say their participation in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's Invitational at the eSports World Cup is an inspiration to young women in the region who want to become professional eSports players.
Saudi Arabia's Team Falcons Vega MENA got off to a rough start at MWI on Thursday, losing their matches to Group C-topping Russia's Victory Song Gamers and Vietnam's Zino Lilies.
But with a $500,000 prize pool up for grabs, the largest in the history of women's eSports, the team's stars say that simply participating in such a prestigious tournament on the biggest platform is an achievement — and an inspiration to others.
The tournament is played in front of crowds of over 8,000 spectators at the SEF Arena on Riyadh City Boulevard, with millions of fans from around the world.
Velvet, a Team Falcons Vega MENA player from Giza, Egypt, who has been pro for eight months, said: “I found it quite competitive. We could have done better, but that was only because we were nervous. We have the experience we need to continue on and learn how we can do much better in the future.
“The stage is huge. Playing on such a grand stage is special, it's actually glorious. Let's take it to the grave. It's really good that we got here and tried our best in the first two games, even though we didn't even win.”
When asked if she ever really thought she would be a professional eSports player, let alone compete in the eSports World Cup, Velvet, whose real name is Khadeel Mahmoud, said: “Never, never, never.
“I am living my dream. I didn't think that eSports would become so viral, become so big and become a real paying job. I didn't even think it was professional.
“I always thought I would go to work around the clock. And it's so good that we can turn a fun thing into something you get paid for.”
Velvet, 21, hopes that female gamers in Egypt, Saudi Arabia or wherever else in the region will follow her example. “Yes, they can, they all can,” she added.
“I used to be the girl that no one took seriously and everyone was cursing at me and saying, 'Oh, you're just a girl, you better not go on like that – the kitchen is where you belong' and comments like that.
“But it didn't stop me. I just kept going and wanted to prove everyone wrong because I wanted to be an inspiration to little girls and everyone around. So I'm just sending a message that they can do it if I do. I play at the eSports World Cup, the biggest stage in the world.
“That's how the world goes. You won't get there easily. You're going to get toxic comments and stuff, but that shouldn't stop you from doing what you want to do. You just have to be patient and try your best and not let the comments drag you down.''
Teammate fvvn, also Egyptian, echoed her sentiments. “Growing up, I played games to pass the time doing something I really enjoyed and make new friends,” said fvvn, real name Alaa Ayman.
“But I never thought I would have the chance to play in such a world-class tournament with the people I love.
“I think women's eSports should be more accessible to girls and women in the Middle East – especially so that the prize pools can allow us to be more independent and learn from these experiences.”
She added that she praised the fans in Riyadh. “The support we've received has been overwhelming,” she said. “The fans cheered for us everywhere, in the hotel and in the arena. Their support was a highlight for us during the tournament.”
MWI is an important addition to the eSports World Championship, which kicked off at Riyadh City Boulevard on July 3rd and will continue until August 25th. 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 Championship, with a prize pool of $60 million, the largest in eSports history, features a unique cross-play structure that pits the best clubs and players against each other in 22 global competitions across 21 flagship games.
More than 1,500 players representing more than 60 nationalities are competing in this summer's eSports World Cup. Week four competitions this week include PUBG Mobile and Overwatch 2.
