Smart and Omega launch new grassroots esports league

Smart Sports and Omega Academy are launching the Barangay Grassroots Esports League (BGEL) beginning with an inaugural online tournament called KABPAS: Game On during Pasig City’s Linggo ng Kabataan 2021 Festival this August.

The BGEL is a new grassroots-level league that hopes to connect local government units with their constituents through esports.

Their first event is a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament that will run from August 27 to 29 with an awarding ceremony set for the 31st, featuring 28 teams recommended by the Sangguniang Kabataan in Pasig City. The prize pool for the winners totals P48,000.

"Despite the ongoing pandemic, we at Smart still want the kids to remain active and still be competitive," said Jude Turcuato, PLDT-Smart First Vice President and Head of Sports.

"With all of the kids staying at home, one of the best ways for them to remain active is through esports."

Also involved in facilitating the tournament is Omega Academy, the program of the popular Smart Omega Esports team in the Mobile Legends Professional League – Philippines. The tournament is conducted in coordination with the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) of Pasig City and is supported by the Pasig Youth Development Council with the guidance of the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippines Esports Organization (PESO).

"We would also like to thank Mayor Vico Sotto, LYDO officer-in-charge Rechie Tugawan, youth development officer Colleen De Guzman, and SK federation president Georgia Clemente for helping make this event possible," said Turcuato.

"We are looking forward to hosting more BGEL events in other localities soon to not just promote esports but also spread the values it has to the farthest reaches of the country."

—JMB, GMA News