Team Geekay Esports Set to Become the Region’s First League of Legends Team to Reach the Global Stage
Geekay signs MENA's Arab League of Legends team.
MENA entertainment retailer and distributor Geekay Group has announced the signing of the MENA’s Number 1 League of Legends team, now under the new label of Team Geekay Esports, increasing its investment in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. Committed to the development of the gaming industry and the competitive level of regional e-sports players to reach a global arena, Geekay Group will use its resources to talent spot, create, train, support, and sponsor teams.
Team Geekay Esports has won over six regional tournaments in the past year, including the IAC 2021 Champions Season 1 and 2, Arab Esports League, and Intel Arabian Cup, earning the title of the best regional League of Legends team.
"The gaming industry is growing exponentially, both globally and across the Middle East, with international tournament viewership now rivaling some of the largest legendary sporting events like the Super Bowl. Gamers in this region are highly skilled, hard working, and talented, and the potential for their international success is assured if they receive the right support and development. We are delighted to have signed our first League of Legends Esports team and will be working with them on an ambitious plan to be competing at the Worlds Championship by next year. Not only will this be a first for the region, but will also offer an opportunity for the team to show their mettle against the world,” said Kishan Palija, Managing Director at Geekay Group.
The global gaming industry was valued at $175.8 billion in 2021, representing a growth of 30.1% since 2018, according to a leader in gaming market insights and analytics Newzoo, and is predicted to continue at this level or greater for the medium term. Interest and investment in the industry by major personalities such as Travis Scott, Drake, and Ariana Grande, add further awareness of its status. Although still in a stage of relatively early development in the GCC, the region’s gaming market is expected to hit $821 million this year, up from $693 million in 2017 (according to PwC).
Team Geekay Esports is made up of six players from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt who have been playing together for a number of years.
● Wufo (Nawaf Abdulaziz Alkhowaiter / Top Lane): Saudi National, 20 years old, Rank Challenger
● Cipher (Walid Osman / Mid Lane): Lebanese living in KSA, 23 years old, voted Intel Arabian Cup’s Season 1 MVP
● Mishal (Meshal Albarrak / Support): Saudi National, Captain and decision-maker of the team
● Ajwad (Ajwad Wazzan / Jungle): Saudi National, 21 years old, Rank Challenger
● Mimic (Nawaf Al-Salem/ Bottom Lane): Saudi National, 23 years old, voted Intel Arabian Cup’s Season 1 MVP runner up
● Fr0m02her0 (Ramy Al Qasabi / Jungle substitute): Egyptian National, known as one of the most surprising junglers in the MENA region.
The currently undefeated Geekay Esports League of Legends team has already won the Razer Invitational 2021 ME and is now competing in Intel Arabia Cup which began on May 25, 2021 and will end on October 9.
“Geekay’s Esports division was established just four months ago and we have already hosted two scouting tournaments, signed and started training e-sports teams for Valorant, Wild Rift, PUBG, and now League of Legends. We’re already seeing results with our Wild Rift team scoring in the top three in the Origin Series MEA worldwide qualifiers, and we’re looking forward to an extremely active year on all fronts,” said Meena George, Head of E-sports at Geekay Group. “We are committed to developing the sector across the MENA region and are delighted by the representation we already have, with players from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco, and Tunisia.”
