Gaming Goliaths gives back to community

Goliath gaming is an Esports team based in the South of Joburg and has over the last few years produced some of the best eSports players in the country.

The Comaro Chronicle caught up with the founder of the organisation, Aston Muller to find out what Goliath is busy with as well as their new programme where they help the youth of the area to get into the Esports as well as helping them stay off the streets.

Muller started Goliath gaming in 2017 with the help of Michele Brondani.

The team originally started with just 10 players but has grown to 24 players playing games ranging from Counter Strike: Global Offense to FIFA.

The team has also attracted sponsors like Nike and Red Bull to sponsor the players to help some of them turn it into a full-time jobs.

Before Muller started Goliath gaming he was already a professional gamer so he brought his expertise to the new team.

After having produced some of the best gamers across various games it was time for Muller and Brondani to join hands with the Ridge Park Sports Club based in Turffontein to help bring gaming to areas where it wouldn’t often be something children can do.

Muller said: “We had about 50 people that came through to the last workshop but we also have the whole soccer academy that has had a workshop as well so that’s about 15-20 kids.

“Esports and gaming help them by keeping them occupied and off the streets. It shows them new or different opportunities that they would not have known about had it not been for the ridge park sports club. It helps with their digital literacy and hopefully one day we can impact their career paths.

“We have only just started having these workshops and have had two to date but we plan to have them more frequently in the coming months. So make sure to keep your eyes on Goliath gaming and ridge park sports club social media for more updates.”

With the partnership, the team has already done a FIFA day with a local football academy joining in on the fun to show they are not just skilled on the football pitch but also skilled at playing the game on a console.

“To see the intensity from the young footballers and the joy on their faces was something completely different,” said Muller.

Goliath Gaming regularly holds workshops to help identify the next generation of gamers.

For more information on Goliath Gaming visit them on social media @GOLIATHGAMINGZA or visit their website.

Some facts about Esports

Here are some fun facts about eSports and how much it brings in for the gamers.

• The total market value of the Esports industry exceeded $1b (R16b) in 2021.

• China’s Esports market is worth more than $100b (R1.6t) more than any other region.

• Dota 2’s 2021 cumulative prize pool reached almost $50m (R860m).

• The top Esports team by earnings – Team Liquid – has won almost $40m (R670m) in prize money.

• The top-earning Esports player has won over $7m (R120m).

• Annual combined Esports prize pools are expected to surpass $500m (R8.3b) in 2023.

• The top 4 Esports organisations are worth over $250m (R4.1b) combined.

• The leading female Esports player has earned over $400 000 (R6.7m).

• There are an estimated 234 million Esports enthusiasts.

• US Esports viewers will surpass 45 million by 2023.

Source: https://explodingtopics.com/blog/esports-statistics

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