UAE's Emirates Esports Federation And MENATech Partner For Collegiate Gaming Tournament

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking a significant step forward in the esports and gaming industry. In a collaborative move designed to bolster the gaming sector within the educational sphere, the Emirates Esports Federation has partnered with MENATech Entertainment. This partnership aims to foster initiatives that integrate video games and technology in the university setting, thereby enhancing the region's position in the global esports landscape.

MENATech Entertainment, part of the GGTech group, spearheads the Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports initiative, the premier esports project targeting students across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The initiative's primary aim is to engage students in the esports sector, encouraging their participation in competitions, fostering a sense of community at the university level, and unveiling career opportunities in this rapidly growing field.

The collaboration will see the third edition of the Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports Masters, a collegiate tournament that pits universities in the region against each other. Scheduled for July 5 and 6, the event will be hosted at Abu Dhabi's Pixoul Gaming, a cutting-edge gaming complex.

Mario Pérez, CEO of MENATech, expressed enthusiasm over the agreement, highlighting its significance for collegiate esports in the UAE. “This agreement is an important step for collegiate esports in the country, where the gaming industry is growing exponentially. From Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports, we are very grateful for this opportunity to hold the Amazon UE Masters Grand Finals at Pixoul Gaming's impressive facilities and to continue to show university students all the advantages of video games for their professional careers and personal lives,” Pérez stated.

The Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports Masters aims to create a vibrant community among players from the MENA region, offering them the chance to compete in high-quality international tournaments. Additionally, it seeks to carve out pathways for youths to embark on careers in the esports industry, providing a platform for learning and skill enhancement.

Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports and MENATech have recognized the burgeoning potential of the UAE’s gaming and esports market. The gaming sector in the MENA region experienced a 6% revenue growth in 2022, reaching $6.8 billion. This increase is largely credited to the Middle East’s young population, with the UAE in particular standing out for its high gaming engagement. A staggering 90% of adults in the UAE are gamers, the highest percentage globally, and 23% dedicate more than 11 hours each week to gaming.

This partnership between the Emirates Esports Federation and MENATech Entertainment marks a pivotal moment for the UAE’s gaming industry, emphasizing the country's commitment to nurturing a vibrant esports ecosystem. By leveraging the educational sector, the initiative not only aims to elevate the competitive spirit among students but also to cultivate a skilled workforce ready to contribute to the esports and gaming industry’s continuous growth.