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Cape Town – Telkom has rebranded its gaming league in a bid to increase the professionalism in the sport.
The new Telkom Digital Gaming League (DGL), previously known as the Do Gaming League, will include a Masters programme for elite Multi Gaming Organisations (MGOs) and prize money of R1m.
“Gaming has seen phenomenal growth over the past few years as players become ever more engaged. We already have more than four million gamers in South Africa. By professionalising the sport and developing new players, we can look forward to seeing more local talent compete on the same footing as international teams,” said Johann Von Backström from the DGL management company.
Gaming is big business in SA, with an estimated value of over R2bn, said Telkom. The league will be spilt into three tiers comprising casual, skilled and elite gamers.
“The league provides an advertising opportunity for Telkom to reach its customer base as well as for gamers to develop to their full potential. Through increased participation and competition, gamers will be able to hone their skills to meet the standards that exist in international competition,” Colin Webster, general secretary of Mind Sports South Africa told Fin24 about the format.
Prize money
He said that the prize money offered would go some way to help boost local gamer professionalism and level of play such as in the international arena.
“The amounts of prize money in international events are truly astounding, with some competitions offering as much as $18m. Although professionalism does not just mean receiving a 'pay-cheque'. Professionalism also deals with the proper structuring of clubs, payment of taxes, and other contractual obligations with which so many South African gamers are not yet familiar.”
Telkom said that the top eight MGOs will be invited to compete in an online competition from April, with a final being played in October.
“The Masters programme will become the pinnacle of eSports in South Africa where eight MGOs will compete for R1m in cash, the largest prize pool in South African eSports history,” said Enzo Scarcella, Telkom’s chief marketing officer.
Are you a gamer? Let us know how this league will help you.
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