The Final Stage of the inaugural Intel Arabian Cup commenced on 11 December with eight teams from the region vying for glory.
Dubai, 15 December 2020: With the ongoing Intel Arabian Cup (IAC), organized by Riot Games, showcasing the best talent so far, Intel and Lenovo have pledged to continue supporting the development of the gaming landscape in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The inaugural IAC, which is in partnership between Riot Games, Intel and Lenovo, entered the Final Stage on December 11 with eight teams representing their countries in their quest to become regional champions. The competition is based on Riot Games’ popular gaming title ‘League of Legends’.
Since its launch in May, IAC has provided a platform for professional and amateur gamers to connect virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic and showcase their skills and competitive spirit. With matches streamed online, attracting over 5.5 million total views, the competition has also allowed gamers to be recognized for their talent.
The tournament is part of Riot Games’ ongoing commitment to promoting gaming in the region by attracting new players, increasing fan engagement as well as nurturing local talent.
During a virtual press conference attended by key officials from Intel and Lenovo, Karim Hachani, Head of Publishing MENA – Riot Games, emphasized how the staging of IAC is another step forward in their mission to deliver fun gaming experiences.
He said: “We are fully aware there is exceptional talent in the MENA region when it comes to gaming especially in League of Legends. This advantage provides us with the opportunity to explore how we can make gaming experiences more innovative while also making them fun and challenging at the same time. With the support of Intel and Lenovo, we have been able to widen our audience and attract new people to League of Legends during the IAC.
“We see League of Legends going from strength to strength in the MENA region and we will continue creating immersive experiences that cultivate people’s passion.”
Maurits Tichelman, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Group and General Manager, EMEA Territory – Intel, Ali Riza Kucuk, Regional Consumer Director, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa – Intel and Shashank Sharma, Executive Director & General Manager, META – Lenovo, highlighted the importance of how this event aligns with their vision to shape the future of gaming in the MENA region.
As leading technology organizations, Intel and Lenovo have been playing vital roles in growing the gaming industry. Intel has partnered with leading esports leagues, brands and publishers for nearly two decades and created innovative technology solutions to enhance the gaming experience, while Lenovo has built powerful gaming equipment and been part of several initiatives including inspiring females to participate in gaming.
Tichelman said: “From technology to ecosystem enablement, Intel is committed to the gaming segment. Many of the top pro gamers, teams, and esports leagues choose Intel to power their gaming PCs and connect millions of players around the world. Our goal for the next 5 years is to help the MENA region grow its talent and ecosystem and enable it to meet the international esports standards. Our partnership with Riot games and Lenovo, through the Intel Arabian Cup (IAC), is the first of many steps we will be taking in this journey.”
Shashank Sharma, Executive Director & General Manager – Lenovo META, said: “It gives us great pride to be collaborating with global and local industry players such as Intel and Riot Games MENA – working towards our shared goal of championing the region’s gaming talent. As the popularity and impact of gaming continues to grow exponentially, investing in new product creation and experiences for this community forms a key aspect of our long-term strategy. Over the next few days, as well as connecting gamers, the final stage of the Intel Arabian Cup will also continue to play a crucial role in highlighting the capabilities of the region’s best players and giving them a platform on which to thrive.”
During the Final Stage of IAC, the eight teams that will be in action are Fox Gaming, EGZ Esports, Divine Vendetta, Anubis Gaming, Overmind, Galaxy Racer Esports, Summon Aery and Titans Gaming Center.
The teams qualified after overcoming two stern stages. The first stage, which attracted more than 5,000 players from over 1,000 teams participating, saw the 13 teams, winners of their respective national competitions, advance to the second stage.
Fans across the MENA region can follow the action live with matches taking place on the 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th of December.
