With a prize pool of $1 million, it is one of the largest esports tournaments in the world. The Blast Premier World Final returns to Abu Dhabi this weekend, underlining the “incredible” growth and future potential of gaming in the capital.
The two-day event involves the best eight teams from around the world competing in a Counter-Strike shoot-out at Etihad Arena. Visitors can watch the main action and even participate themselves in mini pop-up tournaments which offer cash prizes.
“We're really privileged and excited to be back in Abu Dhabi,” Blast Premier programme director Andrew Haworth told The National.
He believes there is already a strong partnership between Blast Premier and AD Gaming, boosting the capital’s capacity to grow and develop the gaming industry.
“The work they're doing to bring game developers, publishers, events like ours and grow the grassroots community across Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates is incredible,” he said.
Last year, G2 Esports took home the top prize after beating Team Liquid in the final and they have returned to defend their title.
Team leader Rasmus 'HooXi' Nielsen of Denmark explained that good communication between teammates is essential for success. “It's alpha and omega, it’s everything, especially the way I play,” he said.
The G2 team leader started playing at a young age, which he believes gave him an edge on fellow competitors. “It's definitely an advantage,” he confirmed. Hard work plays a part too. Nielsen trains with his team for four to five hours a day, six days a week.
Teammate Nikola 'Niko' Kovac, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, wants to stay at the top for as long as possible. He said: “I want to keep winning trophies, keep working hard and pushing myself to improve. Maybe once I’m finished as a player, I'm going to try to become a coach.”
Nielsen and Kovac are happy to be back in Abu Dhabi. “The best thing about this event is that it's very sunny and warm outside,” added Kovac with a smile.
AD Gaming director James Hartt believes the Blast Premier World Final event is good opportunity not only for Abu Dhabi gamers but others across the UAE.
Hartt spoke highly of the newly-established partnership between AD Gaming and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, calling their collaboration a “societal good” for the capital.
He also believes there will be another world champion from Abu Dhabi one day, following the success of Amjad 'Angrybird' Al Shalabi, who won the international e-sports tournament Evo 2023 in August. He hopes hosting the Blast Premier World Final again this year will inspire other future gamers in Abu Dhabi.
“It stems from the desire to have the world's best in the emirate,” he explained. “If you saw last year's tournament, it blew people away.”
The 2023 Blast Premier World Final takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Saturday and Sunday. More information at etihadarena.ae
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Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
Naga
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South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
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The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
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1. Fasting
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
