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Dubai to Host the World Finals of the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival in December

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Organisers of the third annual GIRLGAMER Esports Festival have announced that Dubai will host the World Finals of the event in December 2019. GIRLGAMER Esports Festival is a female-focused esports competition and the World Finals will run from December 12 to 14, 2019, at Meydan Grandstand.

Hosted for the first time in the Middle East in association with the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), the Festival further reinforces Dubai’s status as a leading destination for digital content development, with esports one of the key focus sectors. It also enhances the emirate’s position as a major global venue for sporting events given its world-class infrastructure.

Attracting the mega gaming event is part of GDMO’s strategy to drive the development of the industry in the region and establish Dubai as a regional and global hub for competitive esports events under the umbrella of its Dubai 10X Media Project. The UAE was ranked the number one market in gaming in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA), according to recent figures. Gaming revenues in the UAE are estimated to have reached AED 1.2 billion in 2018. The UAE has also been able to attract the best international e-sports teams and leagues since 2015.

The announcement also marks the beginning of two strategic partnerships between Meydan One and Grow uP eSports, the global organiser of GIRLGAMER, and Meydan One and Galaxy Racer Esports, the first major professional esports organisation in the region, which will also see esports take on a central role and raise the bar of the industry in the Middle East. Working with Meydan One, the two entities have been instrumental in bringing the world-renowned GIRLGAMER Esports Festival to Dubai, and the synergies struck will aim to foster the development of a gender- balanced esports industry in the Middle East.

Previous legs of the 2019 GIRLGAMER Esports Festival took place in Sydney (June), Singapore (August), Seoul (September), Madrid (September) and Sao Paulo (October). Throughout the year, women-only teams compete in a range of events in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and League of Legends to qualify for the World Finals.

The potential of the esports industry in the Middle East is immense. With global revenue reaching $1.1 billion and a total audience of 453.8 million this year, esports continues to grow apace. Home to champions like Saudi Arabian Mossad “MSdossary” Aldossary, Jordanian Amer “Miracle-” Al- Barkawi and Lebanese Maroun “GH” Merhej and champion managers like Egyptian Mohamed Morad, the Middle East is filled with potential to become a major esports hub on the global stage.

Speaking of the announcement, Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim, Vice President of Meydan Malls, said: “This is a very exciting time for us. To partner with GIRLGAMER and bring one of the world’s most forward-thinking esports concepts to the Middle East is indeed an honour. Embodying the spirit of adventure that Meydan One is well known for, this move reinforces our commitment to the thriving esports industry. With the 2019 GIRLGAMER Esports Festival, we are introducing the very best modern gaming entertainment event while pushing the social envelope. We are dedicated to producing quality esports content for the region, educating people, and staging events of global magnitude in collaboration with Galaxy Racer Esports.”

With esports undergoing a social and financial boom in recent years, especially given Kyle Giersdorf’s US$3 million winner’s prize in the Fortnite World Cup 2019 in New York, all eyes are trained on the industry’s longevity and ability to promote social equality. Not one of the top 100 competitors in the Fortnite World Cup was a woman, despite a 73 million global female spectatorship of esports. Consequently, there is a major call for greater representation at all levels of the burgeoning industry.

Commenting on the significance of the GIRLGAMER event being hosted in Dubai, Ayesha bin Kalli from the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), member of the Dubai 10X Media team said, “Supporting the emergence of what will soon become a booming market in the Middle East is a natural fit for Dubai, as the emirate’s reputation for identifying new opportunities demonstrates. Together with Meydan One and its strategic partners, we will elevate the status of the esports industry in the region by attracting world-class young talent to this dynamic and ever-evolving destination that continues to effortlessly move with the times.”

Bin Kalli also noted that under the Dubai 10X initiative, Dubai is preparing to build the region’s first stadium dedicated to all things esports, called the Dubai X-Stadium. The project, which seeks to establish the city as a regional and global hub for video gaming events, is a joint initiative being developed by the Government of Dubai Media Office in collaboration with TECOM Group. By hosting world-class e-sports events, Dubai X-Stadium is positioned to play a central role in the global industry.

Fernando Pereira, Global Organiser of the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival, said, “We are very enthusiastic about bringing our event to Dubai and incredibly happy to have found such amazing partners to join us in the mission towards inclusivity. Diversity is at the heart of everything we do, and the GIRLGAMER World Finals will help bring global attention to the incredible gender equality work being done in the region. We also hope to inspire the young generation to grow up more inclusive and to help parents in developing better relationships with their children.”

Maitha Shuaib, Director of Corporate Communications, Dubai Women’s Establishment (DWE), said, “We at the Dubai Ladies Club are very happy to support the organisation of the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival in Dubai. Supporting this event is aligned with the Dubai Ladies Club’s mandate to help women realise their potential and contribute to today’s ever-changing dynamic society. It is also in line with our objective to nurture the social, physical and cultural well-being of women. An event like the GIRLGAMER will help to raise the visibility of the women in esports — and tell their stories and highlight their accomplishments both in the region and across the world.”

Paul Roy, CEO, Galaxy Racer Esports – the regional partner of the event, said, “We are proud to be part of such an exciting event which is the best possible launch pad for Galaxy Racer Esports. The talent pool from the region have proven themselves on the biggest international stages and we felt the timing was perfect to launch a global esports organisation headquartered from Dubai. We couldn’t have asked for a better home than Meydan One. Stay tuned for some several more exciting announcements in the very near future.”

In the run-up to the world finals, a business conference will convene industry leaders, experts, and esports pros to discuss the future of esports and the challenges it faces in achieving greater inclusion.

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Animenia Abu Dhabi Festival to Open Doors on 23rd October 2024

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Anime enthusiasts, get ready for a five-day immersive experience! The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and BRAG are bringing the inaugural Animenia Abu Dhabi festival to Manarat Al Saadiyat from October 23rd to 27th, 2024. This event promises to be a haven for anime and video game fans, offering a unique blend of entertainment, interactive experiences, and celebrity appearances.

Animenia will feature a diverse range of activities, including:

  1. Cosplay Extravaganza: Witness the world’s top cosplayers compete for a massive prize pool of over AED 400,000.
  2. Celebrity Meet-and-Greets: Interact with renowned anime directors, voice actors, manga artists, and video game creators.
  3. Live Performances: Enjoy a lineup of J-Pop concerts, anime-inspired shows, and captivating performances.
  4. Interactive Exhibits: Immerse yourself in themed exhibits showcasing iconic scenes and characters from popular anime.
  5. Gaming and Workshops: Explore a dedicated gaming hub featuring VR zones, Esports, arcade games, and engaging workshops.

The festival will host a stellar lineup of guests, including:

  1. Legendary Anime Figures: Renowned figures like Yoko Takahashi (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Ryo Horikawa (Dragon Ball, Super Smash Bros), Naoto Ohshima (Sonic the Hedgehog), and more.
  2. Cosplay Icons: World-class cosplayers from Thailand, Indonesia, France, Latvia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia will be present.

Tickets for Animenia Abu Dhabi are now available with pricing starting at AED 65 for a single weekday pass.

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Events

GAMERGY is Coming to the MENA Region

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GAMERGY is extending its presence to the MENA region. After exciting editions in Europe and Latin America, the festival arrives in Egypt. For three days (January 30 to February 1) it will become the global meeting point for esports fans and international players competing for the best prizes. For this new edition of GAMERGY, MENATech, a company of the GGTech Entertainment group, will have the collaboration and support of ievents, eProjects LLC, and Influence Communications, leaders in event management, communication and experience creation.

The venue chosen for the celebration of this new edition of GAMERGY is Al Burouj, developed by IMKAN Misr in Cairo. Attendees will have access to a wide range of games for PC, mobile and consoles, with exciting tournaments, live performances by top artists, meet & greets with influencers and the best esports teams in the region. GAMERGY is a pioneering event designed for video game enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. The next edition in Egypt will create an immersive environment where the physical and virtual worlds will merge, allowing participants to connect and engage in unforgettable experiences.

GAMERGY has organized more than 20 successful editions in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Miami, and Panama, consolidating its status as a dominant force in the e-sports, leisure and entertainment scene for the whole family. Mario Perez, CEO de MENATech, expressed his enthusiasm, “We are very excited about the first edition of GAMERGY in the MENA region, and it is a privilege that it is being held in Cairo. Following the expansion of GAMERGY over the past three years, with successful events in Spain, Mexico, Panama, Miami, Argentina and beyond, this marks an important milestone for us. Egypt’s gaming community is truly impressive and we are delighted to have the opportunity to engage with them and deliver an unforgettable experience to gamers of all ages. With the support of our partner in the Middle East, eProjects LLC, we are confident that GAMERGY Egypt will be a standout event on the GAMERGY International Tour.”

Sherif ElBassiouny, CEO of eProjects LLC, commented on the unique coalition, saying, “Hosting this groundbreaking eGaming event in Egypt is a testament to the nation’s growing influence in the digital and entertainment sectors. We are proud to bring together gamers and enthusiasts from across the MENA region, fostering innovation, competition, and community. This event not only highlights Egypt’s potential as a regional hub for eSports but also reflects our commitment to empowering the youth and embracing the future of digital entertainment. Together with our local partners, ievents and Influence Communications, we are paving the way for new opportunities in this thriving industry.”

GAMERGY combines entertainment and innovative technology, offering a unique experience where fun and creativity come together, as well as a disruptive experience for visitors and gamers alike. It will offer top-notch content on all aspects of the gaming world and showcase the latest technological advances in esports.

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Events

Power League Gaming and HUAWEI AppGallery Team Up for AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament

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Power League Gaming has announced its latest account win with HUAWEI AppGallery taking on the role of event and production management partner for the AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament in Egypt. Held on September 6th at the Westin Cairo Golf Resort and co-sponsored by the Egypt Tourism Authority (ETA) and the Egyptian Esports Federation (EEF), the tournament was a joint initiative between AppGallery—HUAWEI’s official app distribution platform—and Yalla Ludo, the region’s leading mobile board game app. Featuring fierce competition among 32 players and a total prize pool of $20,000 awarded to the top winners, the event aimed to enhance Yalla Ludo’s presence within HUAWEI AppGallery’s expanding app ecosystem.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Power League Gaming’s long-standing partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, reflecting its commitment to promoting the AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC). Power League Gaming was exclusively chosen for this project over competitors from Egypt and the UAE, highlighting the agency’s unmatched expertise in the region and its ability to deliver world-class event management solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the gaming industry.

Celebrating the renewed collaboration, Mathew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming, said: “We’re thrilled to join forces with HUAWEI AppGallery once again for the AGC x Yalla Ludo tournament. This partnership is more than just an event; it’s a chance for us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming in the MENA region. At Power League Gaming, we’re committed to crafting an unforgettable experience that not only engages participants and viewers but also sets a new standard for event excellence. The tournament turned out a resounding success, enhancing HUAWEI AppGallery’s brand presence and deepening our connection with the gaming community.”

As the chosen event and production management partner, Power League Gaming delivered a comprehensive range of services to ensure a seamless and engaging tournament experience. These services included venue build and design, 3D renders and mock-ups, complete venue audio-visual setup (AV)-LED screens, technical support, complete branding production, all creative design elements and a full broadcast and esports solution, including broadcast asset designs and implementation. Power League Gaming also managed staffing and technical expertise to deliver a flawless event.

The AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament not only celebrates the collaboration between these two dynamic brands but also highlights the growing influence of mobile gaming in the region. With the MENA region’s gaming market value expected to reach $10 billion by 2027*, fueled by the growing number of gamers and the rising popularity of mobile games, the tournament was perfectly positioned to capture the vibrancy of the region’s gaming scene.

Through this partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, Power League Gaming has delivered a premier gaming event, captivating audiences and further establishing its presence in the competitive gaming market. For more information about Power League Gaming, visit powerleaguegaming.com.

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