by admin | Feb 7, 2023 | News, SLESA
The Sri Lanka Esports Association (SLESA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Auditorium on the 5th of February 2023. The AGM was attended by members of SLESA who came together to discuss the progress of Esports in Sri Lanka and to also vote for a new Board to lead SLESA for the years 2023-24.
Nominations for the Board were accepted by the members of SLESA for 8 positions in total for which voting was carried out and saw Raveen Wijayatilake unanimously being re-elected as the President of SLESA. Alongside him, Malinda Jayasekera was re-elected as the Vice President while Ramesh Liyanage and Vikum Jayasekera were unanimously re-elected as the Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Chathra Jayasekera was unanimously elected as the Assistant Secretary while Abith Latiff was unanimously elected as the Media Secretary and Navod Bopitiya was unanimously elected as the Assistant Media Secretary. Safwan Mansoor was unanimously elected as the Chairperson, Clan Committee. Dinuka Ratnayake continues on as the Head of the Disciplinary Committee – a non-elected position.
Despite economic and various challenges, Esports has seen a massive spike in interest in Sri Lanka over the recent past. Recognised in 2019 as the 70th official sport in Sri Lanka by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Esports continues to grow at a rapid pace and is widely regarded as the country’s ‘fastest-growing sport’
SLESA is the officially recognised body for the governance of Esports in Sri Lanka by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. SLESA provides the framework to continue driving Esports in the country and works together with its members and stakeholders to continue establishing a strong structure for Esports in Sri Lanka, ensuring that the industry is managed in a responsible and sustainable manner.
At the AGM, the members of SLESA discussed various topics, including the growth and development of Esports in Sri Lanka, the future plans for the industry, and the ongoing efforts to provide a safe and fair environment for players. The members also discussed the importance of taking the sport from hobby status to a model that can sustain professional athletes with salaries and funding.
SLESA is committed to supporting the development of Esports in the country and working together with its members to ensure that the industry continues to grow and thrive. With a strong framework in place, the future of Esports in Sri Lanka looks bright, and SLESA is well-positioned to lead the way.
by admin | Jan 31, 2023 | Esports news, SLESA
Sri Lanka’s national Esports team for PUBG MOBILE qualified for the Grand Finals of the 14th World Esports Championships which were held recently. Sri Lanka’s National Team travelled to Bali, Indonesia for the championship. The tournament included some of the world’s best Esports athletes. Over 120 nations competed for a place in the Finals. The event included titles such as PUBG MOBILE, Dota 2, CS:GO, MLBB, Tekken 7, and eFootball 2023.
Mohammed Shihab Rizan represented Sri Lanka in eFootball 2023, and the four-member team for PUBG MOBILE consisted of Haseen ‘Nrcxhaz3n’ Suhaib, Thamara ‘Susthy’ Surendra, Pasan ‘Doom’ Rodrigo, and Harindu ‘Amare’ Amaratunga.
The PUBG MOBILE team consists entirely of players from team NRC, one of the most successful PUBG MOBILE teams in the country. They won the right to represent the nation by competing in the national qualifiers held last April. Before leaving the country, the team won another PUBG MOBILE event, carrying their winning momentum into the international competition. The squad was able to make it to the grand finals after a resilient display of skill and sportsmanship before ending their campaign at the knockout stage.
Mohammed Shihab Rizan is an eFootball pro. He played Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) for Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2018 Regional Qualifier and he was the Sri Lankan flag bearer for last year’s World Esports Championship opening ceremony competed against the best eFootball players in the world but did not succeed in making it to the finals.
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, has been at the helm of uplifting Esports for over a decade by powering gaming competitions in Sri Lanka. In the recent past, Dialog’s strategic partnership with SLESA has empowered the training and development of vital skills for avid local gamers and help bring structured Esports to all corners of the island. With the widest 4G coverage in Sri Lanka and constantly network optimisations, Dialog delivers on its commitment towards bridging the digital divide by enabling Esports to prosper in the rural peripheries of Sri Lanka. In the last ‘Free Fire Tourney’ organised by SLESA, the winning team emerged from the Moneragala district and was a testament to that commitment.
The Sri Lanka Esports Association was founded in 2010. The Ministry of Youth and Sports in Sri Lanka has recognized the association with its twelve member organisations as the regulating body for Esports in the country.
Gamer.LK, Sri Lanka’s premier Esports company is the Strategic Partner for the National Esports Team. At the forefront of Sri Lanka’s Esports industry, Gamer.LK’s consistent efforts in organising Esports tournaments and activities have caused a rapid growth in Sri Lankan Esports over the last decade.
by admin | Jan 30, 2023 | Esports news, SLESA
Istanbul, Turkey hosted the second edition of the Global Esports Federation’s flagship tournament in December. Sri Lanka had qualified for Street Fighter 5 and eFootball 2023 where Mohammed Shihab Rizan represented Sri Lanka for the second time this year for eFootball. He was accompanied by Vihan Thenuka Nissanka, who represented Sri Lanka in Street Fighter 5.
The Global Esports Federation is a non-governmental organisation that convenes the world’s Esports community and is the organiser of the Global Esports Games (GEG) 2022 that took place from 14th to 18th December, 2022. GEG is a global, multi-title Esports competition partnered with the European Olympics Committee that highlights the exhilaration of Esports with competitions in Dota 2, eFootball 2023, Street Fighter 5, and PUBG Mobile.
“Sri Lanka recognised Esports as an official sport in 2019, and we have been able to officially represent Sri Lanka at a number of global Esports championships, including the Global Esports Games. This is a firm step in the right direction for Sri Lankan Esports athletes as we establish our place in world Esports” – Raveen Wijayatilake, President, Sri Lanka Esports Association
The Sri Lanka Esports Association was initiated by Gamer.LK and four other founding members in 2010. The Ministry of Youth and Sports in Sri Lanka has recognized the association with its twelve member organisations as the regulating body for Esports in the country.
Dialog Axiata is proud to sponsor Sri Lanka’s National Esports teams along with cricket, volleyball and netball. The Company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Schools Rugby League and Knockout Trophies, Premier Football, Junior Volleyball and Paralympic sports – whilst also powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the Olympic and World Paralympic Games.
Gamer.LK, Sri Lanka’s premier Esports company is the Strategic Partner for the National Esports Team. At the forefront of Sri Lanka’s Esports industry, Gamer.LK’s consistent efforts in organising Esports tournaments and activities have caused a rapid growth in Sri Lankan Esports over the last decade.
