Fresh from their triumphant Esports World Cup win, the world champion team Omega Empress arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday, basking in their victory. This all-Pinay squad achieved an extraordinary feat by defeating the defending champions, Team Vitality, with a sweeping 3-0 victory in the Saudi Arabia-hosted Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's Invitational. This historic win ended years of Indonesian dominance in the tournament, marking a significant milestone for Filipino esports.
When asked about the impact of their success on the local esports scene, Gwyneth "Ayanami" Diagon expressed hope that their victory would inspire more women to pursue esports and participate in tournaments. "I hope to inspire more players to upscale their playing skills," she said. "I hope more opportunities for tournaments, especially on-site events, open up because that's where the true game happens."
Froi Joshua Endaya, the team's chief marketing officer, echoed this sentiment. He believes that their victory will encourage more female teams to enter the competitive arena. From a business perspective, Endaya asserted that investing in women's teams is worthwhile. "Hopefully, this triggers more teams, more organizations, and more people to support female esports players," he said. "It's really worth an investment to create many teams and, hopefully, establish a professional league for female teams."
Omega Empress took home a substantial share of the prize pool, worth $180,000 or around PHP 10.5 million, after winning the tournament. This considerable reward could serve as additional motivation for amateur players aspiring to turn professional.
Smart Omega Empress's victory at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational (MWI) 2024, held at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was a monumental achievement. They dethroned the tournament stalwarts, Team Vitality (VIT), and became the first Filipino team to win a championship at the Esports World Cup. Team Smart Omega Empress (OMGE) executed a clean sweep against their Indonesian rivals in the Best-Of-Five (BO5) Grand Finals, ending Team Vitality's 24-match winning streak that dated back to 2021.
The MWI is the premier MLBB esports tournament for women, providing female players with a platform to pursue their esports ambitions. In addition to the championship title, Smart Omega Empress took home the lion’s share of the $500,000 prize pool—the largest in women's esports. Sheen “Shinoa” Perez was named the Finals Most Valuable Player (FMVP), earning an additional $50,000.
The MWI 2024 was held in the Amazon Arena in Riyadh, marking the first time the tournament was hosted outside Southeast Asia, as part of the inaugural Esports World Cup. The event brought together 12 international teams, showcasing the best female esports talent from around the world.
During the post-match press conference, OMGE Roamer, Meraaay, expressed her pride and gratitude. “We want to give honor to our country. I hope we made our kababayans (countrymen) proud, including those who went to the venue to support us. It feels like a dream for all of us. We would like to take our hats off to Team Vitality, who gave us a good fight. We can now call ourselves world champions.”
Meraaay also had words of encouragement for aspiring female MLBB players. “To all aspiring female MLBB players out there, continue what you’re doing, especially if it is something that you love. We started from scratch, almost always losing, but we continued playing because we love it.”
The MWI 2024 achieved significant viewership for women's mobile esports. Artyom Odintsov, Co-Founder and CEO of Esports Charts, highlighted the event's success. “The participation of the Indonesian team in the final and the substantial prize pool contributed to making MWI 2024 one of the top three most viewed mobile women’s esports events, alongside the 32nd SEA Games and MWI 2022. This reflects the immense growth and increasing interest in women’s competitive gaming.”
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, emphasized the importance of the MWI 2024 for women's esports. “The competitive women’s esports scene has taken a huge step forward with the MWI 2024. We believe that esports is for everyone, and we’re delighted to have given the world’s best female athletes the stage and #TimeToShine. We’d also like to thank all of our fans who cheered the roof off the Amazon Arena.”
The impact of Omega Empress's victory extends beyond the immediate celebration. It represents a significant shift in the perception and potential of female esports in the Philippines and globally. With the spotlight now on female esports athletes, the future looks promising for women in this rapidly growing industry.
As the esports community continues to evolve, the triumph of Omega Empress serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring female gamers. It highlights the potential for success and the importance of support from organizations and fans alike. This victory is not just a win for Omega Empress but a win for all women in esports, paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse competitive gaming landscape.
In conclusion, the success of Smart Omega Empress at the Esports World Cup 2024 is a landmark achievement that will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of female esports players. Their victory is a testament to the skill, dedication, and potential of women in esports, setting a new standard for excellence and opening doors for future female champions.
If you're inspired by the incredible journey of Smart Omega Empress and eager to dive into the thrilling world of esports, now is the perfect time to get involved. Visit OKBet and sign up now to start betting on your favorite mlbb event. Experience the excitement, support your favorite teams, and maybe even discover your own path to esports glory. Join the community of esports enthusiasts and make every game count with OKBet!
