JEDDAH, 10 August 2006 — The stage is set for the local qualification rounds of World Cyber Games (WCG) in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. “Our effort will be to select best players from more than 5,000 participants to represent Saudi Arabia at the WCG 2006 scheduled to be held in Italy in October,” Yasser Mohammed Fida Bahjatt, an engineer and WCG supervisor in Saudi Arabia, told a press conference at the eXtra outlet on Tuesday. He pointed out that entry forms for local participants are being received in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam against payments ranging from SR100 to SR350 depending on the game a participant opts for.
All entry forms will be received at eXtra branches in major cities, including at Sultan Mall in Jeddah. Gaming enthusiasts will be able to get more updates and information about the WCG by visiting www.wcg-me.com.
Bahjatt pointed out that the local qualification rounds for the “Need for Speed” game will remain continue up to Sept.15. However, group games such as Winning Eleven, 2 Players, Halo and 4 Players, will end on Sept. 29. Players to represent the Kingdom at WCG will be selected in only the Need for Speed game, while other players will compete for prizes for two other remaining group games locally. The local supervising committee of WCG has indicated that SR60,000 worth of prizes will be handed out to 16 winners.
“This is the highest cash prize ever given for such local championships,” said Bahjatt.
Bader Hakim, champion of ESWC 2005 e-soccer game, who is also participating with his brother Alaa as a team in e-soccer, said, “Saudi players have produced good results in similar international championships. This year, and despite my withdrawal as I was pitted against an Israeli player and thus giving up the title at the ESWC 2006 held in Paris in June, the support of Saudi media has encouraged me and my teammates to continue our efforts in this sport with the support and sponsorship of Samsung Electronics and eXtra. We do hope to achieve more titles and remarkable results.”
M. S. Chang, managing director of Samsung Electronics, said in a message, “Samsung Electronics, as a global sponsor of WCG, will spare no efforts to encourage people to take part in the WCG. Samsung global sponsorship of WCG comes within its strategy framework to interact with various local community activities and especially youth, to participate in their improvement and development and to achieve maximum benefits to all.”
“Electronic Sport has a vital role in unifying people, regardless of age, class or nationality,” he said, and adding that “e-sports also play a unique role in promoting peace, happiness, mental capabilities and alertness to all youth. The spirit and competitiveness of e-sports go hand in hand with Samsung’s philosophy, which aims to get people together in order to build better human community.” Samsung’s Marketing Manager Inam Ullah Butt read Chang’s message. Safwan Daoud, assistant marketing manager of eXtra, asserted the keen interest of Al-Fozan Group, owner of eXtra, since its foundation in playing a social role to serve, improve and provide best services to the community. “In view of its policy to support and service communities, eXtra extends its sponsorship to the local qualification rounds for WCG,” he said. Players from 72 countries are expected to take part in WCG 2006. The Kingdom is participating in WCG for the first time.
