This weekend, VS Gaming hosted a South African tournament with the country’s highest prize-pool yet, with the winner becoming the highest-earning South African esports competitor overnight.
VS Gaming put on the VS Gaming Festival, a FIFA 17 competition with a prize pool of R1.5 million, or just over $115,000 USD. The amount was contested by over one thousand entrants, with Zuhair “zaZe” Ebrahim taking home the top prize of over R500,000 ($38,500 USD).
CEO of VS Gaming Cambridge Mokanyane provided a statement on the event:
“We couldn’t be prouder of what took place this weekend. As the first of its kind we put on a spectacular show and brought esports to the everyday South African. Our aim as VS Gaming has always been to make esports more inclusive and open it up to a wider audience. We did that this weekend. The VS Gaming Festival is the start of something great.”
Efforts to broaden the scope of the event’s reach included the participation of local celebrities such as television personalities Lalla Hirayama and Somizi Mhlongo, and the choice of FIFA 17 for the competition in a country in which football is among the most popular sporting interests. The event also featured performances from local musicians.
Domestic sports broadcaster SuperSport presented the VS Gaming Festival on South African television, making it the latest in a string of recent televised esports events across the globe.
Ebrahim’s win instantly made him the highest-earning competitor in South Africa’s esports history. That distinction was previously held by Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Dimitri “Detrony” Hadjipaschali, who along with Bravado Gaming teammates Aran “Sonic” Groesbeek and Ruan “Elusive” van Wyk stood far apart from the nearest best earners. The trio have played together since 2015 and were victorious in May at South Africa’s MettleState Samsung Galaxy Championship, in which a prize pool of R1 million was contested.
The decision to feature FIFA 17 rather than Counter-Strike in a nation with some tradition in the latter may have irked some local esports fans, but was likely intended to better appeal to consumers outside of the already established esports audience.
Ebrahim and the rest of the top ten placing competitors at the event may have further opportunities on the horizon, as it was simultaneously announced that all ten players have been signed to contracts to represent Orlando Pirates – one of the country’s premier football clubs in it’s top tier of play. The players will compose the football club’s new esports division.
Article by Jared Wynne for The Esport Observer
See more at use VS Gaming Hosts South Africa’s Richest FIFA Event Yet, with $115,000 Prize Pool
West African Gaming Expo (WAGE) is the first and only technology conference and exhibition in West Africa focusing on animation, video, mobile games and related products.
WAGE aims to connect the best, brightest, and most innovative professionals in the interactive entertainment industry. Leading-edge companies, groundbreaking new technologies and never-before-seen products will be showcased.
WAGE connects you with both new and existing partners and provides unprecedented exposure to emerging markets. WAGE is where new worlds of the interactive entertainment industry are inspired.
Please note the WAGE conference is only open to attendees above the age of 17+
Please note the WAGE conference is only open to attendees above the age of 17+
Stand out from the crowd and improve your chances of landing that dream job by becoming a Unity Certified Developer.
Validate your Unity knowledge and skills and earn a credential to help build your resume and communicate your skills to employers.
Come and speak with the professionals, see courses avaialbe at Bournmeouth University for students interested in gaming and animation.
Looking for a Job in Gaming and Animation, bring your CV and portfolio to WAGE 16 and meet the employers directly.
Listen to Joost Jetten Interntional Business Development Manager at Logitech introduce attendees to Logitech Gaming Devices.
UNITY will be hosting 2 conference sessions. Any one interested in developement or Animation creation should not miss this sessions.
Are you the best FIFA player in the region. Why not come along and take part in WAGE 16 FIFA 17 tournament. Over N100 000 to be won
This is a pane session hosted by Vortex, This panel will include speakers such as Ibrahim Ganiyu, Ayodele Elegba, Somto Ajuluchukwu, Tobechukwu Nwakere, Edu Shola. They are set to Showcase PAPA Ajasco Animated series, Spirit Wars (Mobile PC Fighting Games) and Many more
Come along as Ultima Limited takes us on a journey of how they created the WWTBAM APP. Listen to their story of what they had to do to get it right. Dont miss the chance to take part in the WWTBAM APP tournament and win BIG
Lagos based Indie Game company, launches their first game THRONE OF GODS. Throne of Gods is an epic fighting game based on African mythology.
Are you the best Mortal Kombat player in the region. Why not come along and take part in WAGE 16 Mortal Kombat tournament. Over N100 000 to be won