Young gamer wins big time
FOURWAYS – A new platform for gamers in the province saw a local learner walk away with R10 000.
A newly launched gaming platform hosted its first online event on 6 February and saw a Fourways resident win his share of R20 000.
Summerhill College learner, Kaylan Moodley took part in the first GauFive eGames, competing in FIFA 21 in the Xbox category.
Speaking a few days before the finals on 20 February, Kaylan said he entered with the intention of possibly representing the country. Kaylan won R10 000 of the total cash prize, which was R20 000. “I guess money is a bonus. I’ll probably save it until I need to use it since I don’t really need to right now,” the 18-year-old said.
The top 32 competitors – 16 for Playstation 4 and 16 for Xbox – had to finish in the top four to make it to the grand-finals. They had a week from 6 February to play and qualify in the top four, which proved useful since Moodley had to balance it with the load-shedding schedule. He finished fourth in his group.
In the final, Kaylan was matched up with fellow Xbox player Deevak Dhanjee, and won both matches after a tightly contested game. He won the first game 1–0 with a last-minute goal, and the second game 4–1.
After the final, Kaylan went to pick up his money and trophy from the venue. The competition was hosted remotely, with contestants logging in from their homes in order to keep to Covid-19 regulations.
He said he is hopeful to see more competitors enter. “It is great to win a new tournament and etch my name on this beautiful trophy. I hope to see more players competing in this game and now that government see e-sports as a credible means of making a name and a life for the youth.”
The Gauteng head of department for sport, art, culture and recreation, Ikgopoleng Masisi said hosting an event like this is to open and create opportunities in diverse sporting codes in the province’. “We look forward to opening the sport into township and rural youth in our province to create new heroes and heroines and hosting the GauFive eCup, as the first event of the series strengthens our position as the home of champions,” she said.
The second competition of the GauFive eGames will be announced in March this year.
