Over 18 million people play video games in the region right now, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt having the biggest markets.
The first esports hub was established by Aldar Education and Lenovo at a K–12 institution in Abu Dhabi. Students will have access to gaming hardware, software, and immersive experiences thanks to the facility, which is housed in Aldar Education’s West Yas Academy.
Lenovo, in collaboration with its partners, is bringing emerging technologies such as virtual reality into the classroom, expanding teachers’ toolkits and improving students’ experiences.
The esports zone will include a 360-degree solution made up of cutting-edge PCs and monitors for immersive gaming as part of the collaboration.
According to Mohammed Hilili, general manager of Lenovo Gulf, “With this new initiative, Lenovo is continuing its commitment to support education and empower young people to realise their full potential through technology.”
“Aldar Education has shown that it has a clear understanding of how gaming can have a significant impact on students’ lives and trusts Lenovo to provide an integrated and tailored esports solution. We are eager to collaborate with Aldar Education to implement this innovative project and involve all of the students in the gaming competition.”
For our students at West Yas Academy, we are thrilled to open this innovative learning space, said Andrew Turner, group head of education technology at Aldar Education. We have introduced esports hub, a sector of the gaming industry that is rapidly expanding, to all of our students at our network of schools.”
“There is more to esports than just playing video games, despite what many people think. Our students now have more opportunities to pursue careers in entrepreneurship, marketing, graphic design, coding, and many other fields thanks to this industry.
“Our students will learn a wide range of subjects related to the gaming industry in this new learning environment, such as coding, game design, and 3D prototyping. We are thrilled to give our students the chance to learn about the opportunities offered by the esports sector and to hone important soft skills like cooperation, communication, and problem-solving. The new Lenovo esports hub is a fantastic addition to our ongoing effort to give our students access to cutting-edge technology and interesting learning opportunities.”
The Middle East has seen significant growth in esports in recent years, with a rise in the number of spectators, participants, and investors. With annual growth rates of up to 25%, the Middle East and North Africa market is anticipated to reach $100 million by 2024.
Over 18 million people play video games in the region right now, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt having the biggest markets.
The increase in competitions, events, and venues is another sign of esports’ growth in the Middle East. As the industry grows in popularity, it is anticipated that it will significantly impact the local economy and present opportunities for both domestic and foreign players and investors.
In other news, to increase gaming opportunities for students, Gems Education and Lenovo signed a memorandum of understanding and started an esports programme last year.
In conjunction with the partnership, Lenovo debuted its first “Legion Gaming Zone” at Gems Modern Academy in Dubai, a 360-degree solution that combines gaming-focused Legion PCs and displays with high-performance ThinkStation workstations for designing and programming.
The MoU also provided the educational institution with Yoga Tab tablets, giving teachers the resources they need to run classes more effectively and with greater visibility while achieving critical outcomes.