The sixth edition of Gamer.LK’s Inter-School Esports Championship (ISEC) ’22 powered by SLT-MOBITEL came to a thrilling conclusion with the crowning of the overall champions. The event which saw over 90 schools across Sri Lanka participate, was held online and featured 10 popular games. A physical awards ceremony to felicitate the winners was held recently at SLT-MOBITEL’s Auditorium in Colombo.
The closely contested Championship series with 10 game titles, saw new entrants become champions for some of the more popular game titles. Bandaranayake College Gampaha received their first gold as the winners in Call of Duty 4, showcasing their impeccable skill and teamwork in the tournament. Meanwhile, Maliyadeva College Kurunegala became gold medalists in the highly contested PUBG MOBILE title, St. Joseph’s College Colombo won gold for the popular Free Fire title and in Valorant, it was Lyceum International School Wattala who earned the gold medal.
With an inspiring showcase of talent, Gateway College Colombo proved to be the ultimate victor once again, securing the overall Championship by claiming 3 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal. Ananda College came in second with Colombo South International College coming in third. This is the sixth consecutive Championship win for Gateway, who have managed to dominate the school-level Esports scene since 2016.
“I believe it is essential to recognize the potential of Esports beyond its recreational nature. While many may struggle to grasp its connection to educational goals, we at Gateway, understand the broader impact of Esports in education. By participating in structured programs like the Inter-School Esports Championship organized by Gamer.LK, our students have the opportunity to develop vital skills such as leadership, sportsmanship, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, interaction, and collaboration. We acknowledge the remarkable growth of competitive gaming, which has surpassed the billion-dollar mark and transformed the traditional sports industry. Esports has not only changed how people consume and engage with sports but has also opened up new revenue streams, sponsorship opportunities, and a whole new ecosystem of employment prospects. To fully embrace Esports and harness its potential, we must look beyond the games themselves. At Gateway, we recognize the value of Esports as we prepare our students for the opportunities in this ever-evolving digital landscape.” said Dr. Harsha Alles, Chairman of Gateway College.
Esports has been recognized as a key focus sport by the Ministry of Sports, highlighting the importance of exposing young people to Esports in schools. Its competitions at a school level can provide numerous benefits to students, such as improving their hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, problem-solving, and team communication skills.
“The Inter-School Esports Championship has been a significant part of the esports ecosystem in Sri Lanka since 2016. It is gratifying to witness young students participating in this Championship, and we are proud to be playing a role in promoting the benefits of well-organized and monitored school-level Esports. It is heartening to see more schools recognising the potential of Esports and taking part in this event to provide their students with a competitive edge in this emerging field.” said Raveen Wijayatilake, CEO of Gamer.LK and InGame Esports and President, Sri Lanka Esports Association.
This year’s Championship was powered by SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT Solutions Provider who came onboard as the title partner. SLT-MOBITEL has been at the forefront of empowering digital entertainment and Esports in Sri Lanka with product offerings catering to gamers in the country.
“We are proud to have powered the Gamer.LK’s Inter-School Esports Championship 2022. Congratulations to the Gateway College Colombo who have showcased their prowess winning for the 6th time. Our support towards the competition highlights SLT-MOBITEL’s commitment in fostering the growth of esports in Sri Lanka. SLT-MOBITEL as a leading telecommunications provider is firmly dedicated in empowering the youth to grow their passion for gaming and esports. In endorsing the Championship, we aimed to provide a platform for talented student gamers to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams in the competitive gaming arena. We believe in the transformative power of esports and its ability to nurture teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital skills among the next generation,” stated Prabhath Dahanayake, Group Chief Marketing Officer, SLT-MOBITEL
The Championship is set to return for its seventh edition later in 2023.
