Cyberathlete posts US$250K cash prize for collegiate esports tournament

Professional esport tournament organizer Cyberathlete Pte. Ltd. kicks off the “Cyberathlete Collegiate Mobile Legends Series” with an unprecedented US$250,000 grand finals cash prize.

“We are really excited to kick the series off in Southeast Asia, where Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has met with massive success,” said Scott Valencia, CEO of Cyberathlete. “But more importantly, we are proud to be putting students on a path that will allow them to be highly competitive in collegiate esports while remaining engaged with their academic commitments.”

Qualifiers in Southeast Asian countries start this May and end in August 2021. The top country teams will then duke it out to become one of eight salaried teams to enter seasonal play. Four top ranked collegiate teams from Southeast Asia will emerge after three seasons in November 2022. They will then compete for the US$250,000 grand prize at the World Collegiate Finals in December 2022.

“Beyond the success of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M2 World Championship, which has reached over 100 million views for the professional esports industry, Moonton also places strong emphasis on the collegiate market as well,” said Michael Lin, esports marketing manager, Moonton Games. “Through our 'Esports for Everyone' program, we are excited to be part of Cyberathlete’s groundbreaking initiative for the collegiate market.”

“Our board of directors firmly believes that esports is a great equalizer between technology and entertainment. While professional esports has been receiving most of the focus, we believe the collegiate market is ready for the same level of confidence and exposure the professionals enjoy,” says Frank Yong, board president of Cyberathlete. “Our pledge of support to the players and the industry is having already deposited US$250,000 from our war chest in Oversea-Chinese Bank Corporation secured in a financial instrument ahead of announcing sponsorships. Cyberathlete is looking forward to rewarding the winning team for their achievement.”

Current qualifying country partners are the Singapore Cybersports & Online Gaming Association, with support from Singapore Esports Association, E-Stars Nation from Malaysia, National Esports Federation of the Philippines, and Ligagame Esports from Indonesia, with more to come.