STORYTELLING PRIDE AND GLORY OF NATIONS WITH ESPORTS: COMMONWEALTH ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP

ESPORTSMANSHIP

The Commonwealth Esports Championship was common grounds for many countries to showcase the possibility of hope in the emerging space of E-Sportsmanship and what many envision as the future of work.

Photo: Day at the British Visa Section, Esports Ghana Team at Movenpick Hotel, after their visa processing for CEC (from L-R: Eyram, Alfred, Thelma, Dabi, Akorfa, Kwesi, Maximus, Edwina, Monica, Jefferson)

Though Ghana, could not be present physically at Birmingham, we are blessed to have been part of the process from national qualifies to team preparations to visa acquisition. We almost made it.

Photo: Training Sessions of the female Rocket League Team

The Commonwealth Esports Championship under the charter of the Global Esports Federation created the pathways for the world to see a world well connected with Esports and video games. The enormous friendships, diversity and inclusion exhibited are great grounds to say CONGRATULATIONS TO Global Esports Federation. It is never an easy task to stage a global esports tournament alongside a traditional Sports competition. The challenges of coordinating countries, team managers and athletes is not easy.?

Participation over Prize

The emerging space of Esports opens up a new frontier for many countries to participate in favour of pride and patriotism over prizes.

Watching the live stream, our hearts were filled with joy when the Ghana flag popped onto the main stage... The Red, Gold and Green colours with the Black Star of HOPE, waving on the giant LED screens. It was heartwarming for us all. Even though we could not make it, the shared pride of recognition by CEC and GEF inspired some understanding and solidarity that all is not lost. We will be there next time.

The pride of representing our homeland or home nation is one that many young people wish to achieve with their talents and skills. Esports leverage that wonderfully with the power of diversity and inclusion. For Ghana we had 5 Female participants and 1 male participant, that was a great narrative to story tell history in the making.

Esports Ghana Team for Common Esports Championship

Reach, Awareness and Acceptance

From my own experience with parents, they came to understand that Esports is more than just pressing knobs on a controller. The message of Esports reaches many homes by just mentioning "Birmingham" by that creating awareness and Acceptance.

Mass media also amplify the communication about CEC and came to solidify interest from other stakeholders to develop strategies and support the Esports developmental stages.

I believe every country that participated in CEC has their own stories to tell. The joy and pride of a nation always come first. For many too, just being at CEC was an eye-opening experience to feel what the future holds in terms of medal events alongside Traditional Sports Events. An open doorway?for governments to look into the Esports?Ecosystem to establish employment opportunities for the youth. The panel discussion at the GEF Forum gave room for greater conversation about the future of esports, I hope as much more dialogue and strategies are employed in future plans. Countries will benefit more as in the case of Sports.

As the world embraces this old, new and ever-evolving space, The Commonwealth Esports Championship ?? has exemplified exactly that it is possible to merge Esports with the Olympics, it has also shown that there is a new breed of?next-generation athletes,?they exist, their field of play is digital and virtual spaces. Their tools and gear are smart devices of this modern age and of the future. And they are competitive in their play and build on fair play, team spirit,?strong mental state of mind, integrity, harmony and good gaming. (GG)

The future of Sports with Esports

I believe Esports will be a catalyst to bridge a younger generation with Traditional Sports. Esports athletes can transition into sports and vice versa for retired sportsmen and women taking up roles on Esports Trainers in the simulation version of their profession to coach and mentor up-and-coming stars within the space.

As Esports is pivoted massively on Technology, Esports presents perfect grounds for the development of new technologies for every sports discipline to diversify in their offerings?in branding and commercialization?in?there near future. Pivoting on video game technologies to build spectatorship,?and bring in newer audiences and following.

Paralympics

Esports also offer perfect grounds for people with disability to find their passion in particular sports within the virtual spaces (Esports). A great venue for involving athletes with a range of physical disabilities

To Global Esports Federation and the Commonwealth Sports Federation

When I think of the Commonwealth Esports championship, I think of #Possibilities.?Kudos to the entire Global Esports Federation for the great work done. We are grateful for all the support from the beginning stages to visa acquisition. We appreciate the efforts. Thank you.

To Team Esports Ghana Athletes

I know, it's hard for us all, how we were that close to going to Birmingham, the efforts put it, the practice sessions, time and resources, it heartbreaking, but hey, keep your hopes up, I know one day, we will make it, our plan will be to keep a positive mindset and keep training in the games so that in the next available opportunity we will be ready... Also, there is nothing like personal development, keep building yourself, keep expanding your horizon, for most of you as a gamer, you got to show the world you are up to the task... So keep your hopes up and grind, it will be better someday to showcase your talents and skills—much love.?

We move! to the next level.

Kwesi Hayford | Esports Association, Ghana President | Email: [email protected] | skype: Ebenhay | Cell: +233 24 222 333 5 | WhatsApp: +233272990990

#CEC #GEF #EsportsGhana #FutureofEsports