Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Maties eSports Club will be hosting a three day eSports tournament at SU’s Neelsie Student Centre, with the aim of promoting eSports at the university.
This is according to Yaseen Gangat, manager of the Maties eSports Club.
The event will take place from 15 to 17 September and will consist of casual and competitive gaming, said Gangat. It will be open to all registered SU students and the two titles that will be played are Clash Royale and FIFA, he said.
“I believe there are so many talented individuals who enjoy gaming as their pastime and taking part in competitive competitions and representing the university is a great way for them to realise their potential,” said Stanley Shikwambi, a member of Stellenbosch University’s Maties eSports Club. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
“The goal is to reintroduce eSports at Stellenbosch University, as well as use it to recruit students [to the club],” said Gangat.
The best performing students stand the chance of being selected to represent Maties at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) eSports Championship, taking place at the University of Cape Town from 30 September to 2 October, said Gangat.
Student reactions
“This is going to be our first-ever activation tournament in this chapter, so I am super excited to see how it plays out,” said Stanley Shikwambi, who joined the Maties eSports Club earlier this year.
“We have many talented players on our roster who are looking forward to showcasing their skills on a big stage,” said Shikwambi, who competes in FIFA.
The best performing students at the upcoming Maties eSports tournament have the chance of being selected to represent Stellenbosch University at the University Sport South Africa eSports championship, according to Yaseen Gangat, manager of SU’s Maties eSports Club. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
Another FIFA player looking forward to the event is Wiseman Mhlongo, a final-year medical student at SU, who has been part of the Maties eSports Club since 2019.
“I’m excited about the upcoming tournament at the Neelsie. We haven’t had one there in a while – 2019 was the last time we played there,” said Mhlongo.
The event will be held in the VV Hall on the third floor of the Neelsie, said Gangat.
Growing eSports at SU
“I believe there are so many talented individuals who enjoy gaming as their pastime and taking part in competitive competitions and representing the university is a great way for them to realise their potential,” said Shikwambi.
“Our roster is still small and having more people join will only increase the exposure to the outside world,” he said.
Members of Stellenbosch University’s Maties eSports Club competed in an eSports tournament at Paul Roos Gimnasium earlier this year. PHOTO: Supplied/Yaseen Gangat
Shikwambi believes SU should invest in eSports to keep up with international advancements, as well as accommodate students who may prosper in eSports, he stated.
“Having a really strong eSports chapter would really solidify the university’s core vision of inclusivity and advancement,” he said.
In terms of the future of eSports at SU, there are “big things” planned, both short-term and long-term, said Gangat. This includes residence eSports leagues and competitions, as well as intervarsity competitions, he stated.