Islamabad: UAE-based Galaxy Racer, one of the leading global esports companies, has announced an investment in Pakistan to build the country’s esports and gaming industry, beginning “a new era of tech partnership” between Pakistan and UAE.
The announcement was made following the approval of the zone enterprise license by the Special Technology Zone Authority (STZA) for the company to operate in Pakistan, a country with over 65 per cent young people. Galaxy Racer, which is one of the portfolio companies of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Maktoum Private Office, announced the venture with the launch of Pakistan’s biggest esports festival ‘Gamers Galaxy’ being held at Pakistan-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad from January 8-9.
A new era of Pakistan-UAE partnership
“This tournament is the first step in unlocking the gaming potential of esports in Pakistan,” said Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum. The collaboration “begins a new chapter in the history of UAE and Pakistan relationship.” Galaxy Racer “is delighted to come to Pakistan and start this journey of technology investment with STZA,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Pakistan government for one-window facilitation. UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi also attended the mega event.
Pakistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi virtually attended the ceremony due to COVID-19 precautions. “This is a new era of cooperation between Pakistan and UAE which would boost the country’s gaming industry, create tremendous opportunities for our youth and strengthen efforts for human resource development.”
Breaking into the gaming industry
With the new partnership, Pakistan aims to break into the global gaming industry, which is currently valued at over $300 billion. The government is keen to develop the industry, offer a platform to the youth to demonstrate their talent at global events and transform their passion into a career.
STZA Chairman Amer Hashmi welcomed Galaxy Racer, which has been granted STZA zone enterprise license to begin operations in Pakistan. “We have a very young and dynamic population and STZA is focused on talent development to create opportunities for them to excel as Pakistan enters into the massive gaming and esports industry,” Hashmi told Gulf News.
The investments and incentives for technological developments provided by the government “will enable young people to realize their potential, boost Pakistan’s technology industry and high-tech exports.”
Pakistan’s biggest gaming event
At least 130 gamers will compete for a grand prize pool of PKR 20 million at Pakistan’s biggest esports festival held in Islamabad. The games in the tournament include PUBG Mobile, Valorant, Valorant Spike Rush 2v2, which is Pakistan’s first-ever female esports tournament, and community tournaments of FIFA 22, and Tekken 7.
Galaxy Racer Pakistan CEO Fakhr-e-Alam described the event as the “biggest esports tournament in the history of Pakistan” which will begin a “new era of gaming and esports” in the country which would help shine the spotlight on Pakistani esports superstars and offer them a platform to showcase their talent. To encourage Pakistani youth, Fakhr also shared the story of AboFlah, one of the biggest Arab gaming and Galaxy Racer content creators, who recently raised $10 million to support refugee families facing hardships across the region.
He also announced the launch of Pakistan’s first professional esports league by Galaxy Racer titled ‘Supreme Galactic League’ which will comprise of 8 teams and a nationwide inter-school and colleges esports championship called ‘Scholars Galaxy.’
Gaming industry in Pakistan
Talking to Gulf News, CEO of Pakistani esports organization Fear Legends, Fawad Hafeez, said events like Gamers Galaxy and incentives from the governments are much-needed to tap into the full potential of the esports industry. Fear Legends, participating in the ‘Gamers Galaxy’ tournament, features 17 players from Pakistan including five girls, all of them are fully sponsored and are earning between PKR20,000 to 60,000 monthly.
What hinders many from following their gaming passion is the fact that “parents usually regard it as a waste of time and the second problem is the access to gaming gear which is why we guarantee the young players a regular salary and incentives to become a professional esports player,” Hafeez said.
With 110 million broadband subscribers, Pakistan’s gaming scene has the potential to dramatically evolve and many youngsters have already made their mark. In 2015, Pakistan’s Sumail Hassan became the youngest gamer to earn more than $1million. Lahore-based Arslan Ash Siddiqui is one of the best Tekken players in the world. Zohaib Khalid is one of the best FIFA players in the country and Shiraz ‘Sh1zzy’ is considered the top Dota 2 player.
