MoIB extends support to esports

Federal Minister Chaudhary appreciates event which offers Rs10m prize pool

KARACHI:

Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB), with the launch of Pakistan's Elite Gamers Pack (E-PAK) -- an initiative that aims at promoting esports culture among youths in the country -- has officially endorsed season two of Free Fire Pro League (first in Pakistan) by signing an MoU with Garena and Bigo Pakistan.

MoIB has established E-PAK to create a sustainable esports ecosystem in Pakistan. The aim is to work closely with multiple esports titles in Pakistan to popularise esports and inspire youth to become esports athletes as professionals. The FFPL Pakistan is the first esports league to be endorsed and supported by E-PAK.

There are multiple local esports events held in Pakistan with low prize money compared to the other neighbouring countries, but this league will offer a prize pool of Rs10 million, and the winner of the Pakistan leg will qualify for the 2021 Free Fire World Series later this year.

The Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhary, in his message during the MoU, said: "This is an opportunity for the Pakistani youth that is interested in playing video games. Players as young as 12 years old have a chance to win Rs10 million."

Besides that, esports have thrived for quite long in Pakistan, with multiple e-players making their name in the international arena. Arslan ‘Ash’ Siddiqui is the most prominent success story, which has put Pakistan on the esports world map.

Siddiqui, the Tekken world champion, who became the first Pakistani to win two consecutive EVO Championships (Japan and the US in 2019), was awarded the 2019 ESPN E-Player of the Year. He commented on the announcement by the MoIB, saying he was glad that he played an essential part in promoting esports in Pakistan.

‘Unfold’, a documentary series on recognized athletes around the world, featured Ash recently, making it a huge step-up for Pakistani gamers and motivating them to pursue esportsas a profession.