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BLAST Premier World Final 2022 to Put Abu Dhabi on the Global eSports Scene

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Charlotte Kenny, the Managing Director of BLAST, speaks about the upcoming BLAST Premier World Final 2022

How big is the esports community in the Middle East and Africa region?
Globally, gaming and esports are going from strength to strength with the industry enjoying continued growth, and this year alone over 261 million people will consume esports content with that number expected to grow to over 218 million in 2025. We’re also seeing this impressive growth mirrored in the Middle East and the UAE, which is one of the fastest-growing esports and gaming markets in the world.

According to a report in 2022, the UAE topped a global survey with 90 percent of adults playing video games and 23 percent being frequent gamers. There is no doubt there is currently an active and passionate community of gamers in the Middle East, which will only grow in the years to come as more premium esports and gaming events are hosted in the region.

What prompted the organisers to conduct BLAST Premier in the UAE?
The overarching ambition with BLAST Premier is to take our events to all parts of the world while uniting fans through their shared love of CS:GO – having hosted tournaments in a number of iconic cities including the likes of London and Copenhagen to Miami and Sao Paulo. Abu Dhabi makes for the ideal location to host this year’s World Final, with a passionate and constantly growing esports community and a world-leading venue in the Etihad Arena. We are looking forward to ending the year in style with the first-ever major esports event to be hosted in the Middle East.

What according to you is missing in terms of eSports participation of local/regional teams when compared with the participation in global editions of your events?
Surrounding support and development structures for talent and players is an area that needs further focus and resources, this can be in the form of amateur leagues, collegiate activities, academy programmes, and other pathways for players to become professionals. This stronger grassroots infrastructure and the increased accessibility will only help drive sustainability and long-term success for esports regionally and internationally.

In which areas can the regional eSports teams and key stakeholders improve?
The more regional opportunities we can build, the greater the number of opportunities for players and talent to develop and showcase their skills the better. Regional esports play a key role in community engagement and cohesiveness – they bring people together and can be easier to identify and relate to, which inspires more people to participate and become involved.

Stakeholders, such as our partner AD Gaming are investing heavily in building a sustainable ecosystem. Through these efforts, we are confident the BLAST Premier World Final will be a catalyst for creating more opportunities in the UAE and the wider Middle East.

What sort of commitment do the organisers of BLAST Premier have to the regional market? Can we expect more regional-focused events in the months to come?
BLAST Premier is open to grassroots and amateur teams via our qualifier series, giving teams from all over the world, no matter how big or small, a chance to compete for a spot in regional events and face off against the world’s best teams. We’ve hosted two qualifiers in the Middle East in the past – giving local teams and talent a chance to play in front of a global audience.

The 2022 Fall Season spanned four continents and was open to over 100 countries and thousands of amateur teams, where eight spots were made available in the Fall Showdown that further led into the Fall and World Final. This tournament structure allows every team in the CS:GO circuit to dream big and imagine their names alongside the biggest names in the game.

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Taiwan Launches Global Challenge: “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2025” Seeks Innovative Health Solutions

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Reporting fr0m Taipei, Taiwan: Taiwan is issuing a worldwide call for groundbreaking ideas to revolutionise global health. The “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2025 Campaign,” spearheaded by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and operating under the Taiwan Excellence initiative, invites innovators from every corner of the globe to collaborate with Taiwanese enterprises and tackle urgent health challenges. This ambitious campaign, accessible at gohealthy.taiwanexcellence.org, underscores Taiwan’s dedication to forging international partnerships that will enhance physical and mental well-being across diverse communities, cities, businesses, and organizations.

The initiative highlights Taiwan’s standing as a hub for high-quality, innovative products, urging participants from healthcare, technology, education, and other sectors to propose solutions that leverage Taiwan’s expertise. Projects selected will receive support to establish cooperative ventures with Taiwanese companies, creating value through bilateral partnerships. This strategic alignment aims to position Taiwan as a leading force in the international health innovation ecosystem, contributing to global trends prioritising health and well-being.

The event was officially launched by Susan Hu, Deputy Director General of TITA; Joe Chou, Executive Vice President of TAITRA, and baseball star An-ko Lin.

During the campaign’s official launch on Tuesday, June 3, TITA Deputy Director General Ms. Susan Hu noted that President Lai Ching-te is actively advancing the vision of a “Healthy Taiwan.” The launch of this campaign marks a crucial step in realizing this vision by inviting global innovators to participate and collaborate in shaping a healthier and more sustainable future.

Mr. Joe Chou, Executive Vice President of TAITRA, emphasized that this international call not only highlights the strength and innovation of Taiwan’s comprehensive health industry but also encourages collaboration with global partners to develop smart and sustainable healthy lifestyles through Taiwan’s cutting-edge technologies and solutions.

The event also unveiled the campaign’s promotional theme, “Pitching Taiwan’s Best: A Home Run for Proposals!” The venue was transformed into a dynamic baseball field setting to symbolize Taiwan’s energetic and proactive international engagement. Taiwanese baseball star Mr. An-Ko Lin, known for his performance in the WBSC Premier12 tournament, made a surprise appearance alongside “Fu Bear,” the mascot of Taiwan Excellence. Their symbolic home runs at the event represented Taiwan’s determination to deliver its top-tier health solutions to the global stage while connecting with international innovators.

The press conference was graced by the presence of esteemed guests, including Mr. Robert Wu, Chairman of the Taiwan Bicycle Association; Mr. Jeff Chen, President of the Taiwan Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association; and Mr. Spark Huang, Director of the Taiwan Medical and Biotech Industry Association, as well as representatives from key industry sectors. In addition, media representatives from 12 international outlets spanning Europe, the United States, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, along with members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan, attended the event to show their support.

Campaign Details: Eligibility and Submission Process
The campaign welcomes proposals from a wide array of entities, including companies, government units, legal organisations, and non-legal groups such as research institutions, non-governmental organisations, public associations, academic societies, and universities. Prospective participants must submit supporting documents to verify their affiliation (e.g., website URLs, registration certificates) and their personal identity (e.g., employee ID, business card). A parental or guardian consent letter is required for proposers who are minors in their country before advancing to the semifinal stage.

All proposals must be submitted in English via the campaign’s official website by August 31, 2025. Each submission should focus on one of three core areas: applying products or solutions from Taiwanese enterprises, engaging in bilateral technical cooperation, or developing innovative business models that incorporate Taiwanese expertise. Proposals must demonstrate relevance to the proposer’s organisation and aim to promote health and well-being within local communities, cities, businesses, or organisations. Submissions will be evaluated based on their innovation, feasibility, health benefits, and the strength of their connection to Taiwanese products or solutions.

Representatives from industry, government, and academia in the health sector attended the event, joining forces to shape a “Healthy Taiwan” and foster global well-being.

Significant Awards and Incentives for Top Proposals
To incentivise participation, the campaign offers substantial awards. Up to three winning proposals will each receive a prize of USD 30,000. While the organiser reserves the right to select fewer or no winners if proposals do not meet the required standards, the opportunity remains significant.

Beyond the cash prize, finalists will earn an exclusive trip to Taiwan for up to two representatives. This includes attendance at the final competition, a press conference, and the “Go Healthy with Taiwan Tour.” This unique tour offers an immersive experience in Eastern Taiwan, featuring Yilan’s hot springs, Hualien’s gorges and coastlines, and Taitung’s pristine environments and vibrant indigenous communities. The campaign will cover round-trip economy class airfare, accommodations, travel expenses, and miscellaneous meals for the tour.

Susan Hu, Deputy Director General of TITA, stated that the “Go Healthy with Taiwan” campaign will bring together global innovation to co-create a healthier future.

Taiwan Excellence: A Legacy of Innovation
The “Go Healthy with Taiwan Campaign” is an extension of the Taiwan Excellence initiative, which was established by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 1993. The Taiwan Excellence Awards recognise products demonstrating excellence in research and development, design, quality, and marketing, all manufactured in Taiwan. These award-winning products are globally promoted to enhance the creative image of Taiwanese businesses. The Taiwan Excellence symbol, characterised by six interwoven arcs, embodies Taiwan’s connection to the global economy, the solidarity of its manufacturers, and the passion driving its industries. The arcs also signify completeness, reflecting Taiwan’s cultural commitment to excellence.

TAITRA, the campaign’s organiser, is Taiwan’s leading non-profit trade promotion organisation, founded in 1970. Jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations, and commercial organisations, TAITRA supports Taiwanese businesses in strengthening their global competitiveness through a network of over 1,200 international marketing specialists across its Taipei headquarters and 50 overseas offices.

Joe Chou, Executive Vice President of TAITRA, believes that Taiwan’s high-quality products and solutions can create healthier lifestyles.

Global Reach and Future Impact
The “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2025 Campaign” has already garnered international attention, with discussions across various platforms highlighting its global call for proposals. This initiative aims to connect Taiwan’s innovative products with communities worldwide to improve lives. It encourages startups, healthcare providers, and businesses to submit ideas integrating Taiwanese technology.

By combining Taiwan’s expertise in high-quality manufacturing with global creativity, the “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2025 Campaign” seeks to create sustainable, impactful solutions that enhance health and well-being worldwide. Interested participants are encouraged to visit gohealthy.taiwanexcellence.org for detailed submission guidelines and to submit their proposals by the August 31, 2025, deadline.

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Jumbo Electronics Launches ‘GAME ON’ Gaming Event in Dubai

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Jumbo Electronics has launched ‘GAME ON,’ a gaming event at its flagship store in Mall of the Emirates. The event, running until June 22, 2025, offers daily challenges and prizes for gamers of all skill levels. Jumbo Electronics, a UAE electronics retailer, has organized the event with over AED 275,000 in prizes available.

Under the tagline “Outplay. Outlast. Outwin,” the Jumbo store has been set up with dedicated gaming zones for popular titles including Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, and EA FC 25. Participants can use provided PS5 consoles and gaming laptops. Players receive three attempts per game to achieve their best score, which is then recorded on a live leaderboard. Registration is available online at gameon.jumbo.ae.

Vikas Chadha, CEO of Jumbo Electronics, said, “For all of us at Jumbo Electronics, gaming is a core part of our vision. With activations like GAME ON, we’re building a deeper, more meaningful connect with the gamer community across the UAE. As pioneers in the region’s gaming retail space, we’re proud to provide not just the best tech, but also unforgettable experiences for gamers. We look forward to welcoming everyone, regardless of ability and age, at the Jumbo store.”

Weekly, the top four players on the leaderboard for each game will receive rewards such as gaming headsets and accessories. The overall top 16 players across all games will win grand prizes, including gaming laptops, monitors, peripherals, and complete gaming kits. Additionally, customers who purchase a gaming laptop at Jumbo before June 22 will receive exclusive gaming kits, valued at AED 299 or AED 700, depending on the model.

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Twitch Announces Major Global and MENA Product Upgrades at TwitchCon Europe 2025

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Twitch has announced a suite of significant product and service updates aimed at transforming how creators stream, monetize, and share content. The announcements were made by CEO Dan Clancy during the Opening Ceremony of TwitchCon Rotterdam 2025, the annual IRL festival celebrating Twitch’s expansive global community.

These new initiatives build on the roadmap outlined in Twitch’s 2025 open letter to its community, which prioritized streamer growth. With Twitch currently commanding over 60% of the gaming livestreaming market and viewers collectively watching an astounding average of 46 million hours of content daily, the platform continues to solidify its position at the forefront of live gaming and interactive entertainment.

This momentum is particularly evident in the MENA region, where viewership has seen a significant surge. In 2024 alone, viewers across the Middle East and North Africa spent over 209 million hours watching content on Twitch, underscoring the region’s rapidly growing appetite for livestreamed entertainment.

Today’s announcements underscore Twitch’s unwavering commitment to its creators. Key updates include the introduction of dual-format and 2K streaming in Open Beta, providing streamers with more versatile broadcasting options. To enhance monetization, custom sub gift promotions are being rolled out, offering new ways for communities to support their favorite creators.

A brand-new feature called Combos was also unveiled, alongside significant mobile app upgrades, some of which are specifically tailored to meet the needs and preferences of the MENA region’s burgeoning streaming community. “TwitchCon is our largest annual IRL gathering, bringing together our global community of streamers, viewers, and brands in a powerful way,” said Dan Clancy, CEO of Twitch, addressing the audience in Rotterdam. “This weekend is a celebration of creativity, connection, and fun. We’re introducing new tools and features to help streamers grow, including ones tailored to the MENA region.”

Clancy further emphasized the platform’s strategic focus on regional expansion, “We’ve seen strong momentum around gaming and esports, plus a rising demand for new and existing audiences. We’re excited to keep building in MENA, because when streamers thrive, so do the communities around them.”

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