As a lifelong esports enthusiast who’s seen it all, from LAN parties in basements to sold-out arenas, I must admit that this year’s Esports Awards left me feeling a bit… uneasy. The title of ‘Esports Organisation of the Year’ going to Team Falcons has certainly stirred up a storm within our community.
The Esports Awards have ended for another year, and many trophies changed hands on the night. One award that has the esports community up in arms is the title of ‘Esports Organisation of the Year’, which went to Team Falcons.
Team Falcons, established in 2017, didn’t garner much attention until 2022, when the first ‘Gamers8’ event happened in Riyadh. This Saudi Arabian organization, supported by the country’s government, has faced doubts about its authenticity and funding for quite some time.
Not too long ago, I was thrilled to learn that The Esports Awards had locked down a trio of years with the Saudi Arabia Esports World Cup Foundation. We’re all set to bring the action to Riyadh for the upcoming three editions!
That’s a Problem
Team Falcons receives funding and maintains connections with the Saudi Arabian government through the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Savvy Games Group. The recently held Esports World Cup was overseen by ESL FACEIT, a company entirely owned by Savvy. Consequently, as Savvy is controlled by the Saudi government, it can be inferred that the Saudi administration also has involvement in the management of the World Cup.
In August, Team Falcon clinched the top title at the Esports World Cup, having participated in more tournaments and fielding more teams than any other global organization. Throughout the competition, as well as before and after it, Team Falcon acquired some of the world’s finest esports players to beef up their rosters.
The remarkable feats were accomplished by an organization established in 2017, which didn’t garner much attention until it started receiving substantial investments from the Saudi government. This was a part of what the community calls ‘esportswashing’, where the country’s officials aimed to enhance the nation’s image by heavily investing in esports and gaming.
Here are some facts:
- Team Falcons started winning in Dota 2 this year after picking up some of the world’s best players
- Team Falcons’ Counter-Strike exploits have gotten nowhere despite splashing the cash to sign huge players (like s1mple)
- Team Falcons did nothing in Apex Legends until the Esports World Cup after signing one of the winningest players in the space
- Team Falcons produced little in the way of results in Rocket League until Gamers8 and the Esports World Cup
- Team Falcons secured a spot in the COD League (Vegas Falcons) despite having an awful track record in the game’s multiplayer scene
- Team Falcons has dominated Warzone tournaments thanks to signing the most capable players in the space
Prior to securing our spot on the Saudi esports scene, my team, Team Falcons, excelled primarily in Fortnite competitions. A significant portion of our earnings originated from Gamers8, the Riyadh-based event that eventually gave way to the Esports World Cup.
It’s evident that the issue with esports enthusiasts lies in their tendency to invest vast sums of money without any financial regulations similar to ‘fair play’ rules.
To win the Esports Organisation of the Year trophy at The Esports Awards, Team Falcons had to beat:
- Natus Vincere
- Vitality
- Team Liquid
- G2 Esports
- Gen G
- T1 Esports
- Fnatic
- Team Spirit
In 2024, Team Falcons’ most significant victory was securing a highly competitive tournament sponsored by the Saudi government, where they had the greatest opportunity for success. Remarkably, they not only participated but also emerged victorious in this event that took place within Saudi Arabia, as they were also supported by the Saudi government.
But hey, congratulations on the award.
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2024-11-22 10:47