The eyes of the video game world will soon turn to Eilat, Israel's southernmost city, as it hosts the Esports World Championship, a global competition of the world's best gamers, for the first time.
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Starting this weekend, 500 top gamers from 85 different countries - who beat out 10,000 other gamers in various playoffs watched virtually by millions - will converge in Israel's tourist destination and compete for the top spot.
Last year, the world championship in Shanghai, China, saw over 1.5 million viewers tune into the action online.
Ido Brosh, chairman of the Israeli Esports Gaming Association, said holding the international competition in Israel offered a unique opportunity for the state.
"This is a huge opportunity to showcase Israeli hospitality… and capability in hosting such grand-scale events in a very technological sector and digital entertainment world," Brosh said.
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Each player will represent their own nation under the "national flag, banner, and uniform" he explained.
With efforts to host the competition beginning three years ago, the Israeli Sports Association and Maccabi World Union teamed up with the Israeli Gaming Association to reach an agreement with the International Esports Federation.
"Through the impact of this event… we will be able to create a meaningful, positive image for Israel, using this event as a platform to understand not just the beauty and hospitality of Israel, but that Israel is a modern country," Brosh said.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
