The Samsung Galaxy Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Championship, sponsored by Samsung, is currently underway and will conclude with the final match on 7 May 2017. The winning team of this multiplayer first-person shooter video game will be walking away with, not only the top honour, but also R1,000,000.00 - the biggest prize ever for a single eSports title in South Africa.

“Samsung shares the gaming thirst and with our vision, endurance and focus on strategy to improve people’s lives, what better way to do it than by getting involved and assist in building the future for gaming locally,” says Craige Fleischer, Director: Integrated Mobility, Samsung South Africa. Counter Strike: Global Offensive has been the benchmark of game players’ skills worldwide, with global teams continually proving their ability and strategies in tournaments. Organiser and host of the online gaming event, Mettlestate, has partnered with Samsung Mobile in this sponsorship deal to bring the local championship to realisation, offering South African gamers a larger platform to display their skills and to further create awareness of eSports and gaming possibilities. eSport is an ever growing activity, not only as a pastime, but as an occupation.

A great number of individuals are inspired to become professional gamers, developers, designers and writers, choosing the gaming industry as a career path.   Worldwide eSports revenues are projected to reach approximately $1.1 billion by the end of 2019, according to a Newzoo market report*. It is a clear indication that there is a market for it and that consumers are interested. Compared to the international market, eSport is but an infant locally, but interest of South African gamers and brands in the competitive gaming scene is showing stable and speedy growth. “It is great to see South African eSports starting to take off because of companies, like Samsung, lending their support and investing in the industry,” says Barry “Anthrax” Louzada, Director at Mettlestate. “With Samsung - a world-renowned technology brand with premium devices - as a partner, eSport can only go from strength to strenght. Samsung’s endorsement means that the company has growing intrest in the industry and the various opportunities it has to offer millennials.”The Samsung sponsorship of the tournament is not only providing monitory

The Samsung sponsorship of the tournament is not only providing monitory assistance, but also sponsoring Samsung products that are relevant to the gaming fraternity. These devices are becoming sought after accessories as eSports expands and develops into a more involved practice.    “Our mobile technology and flagship devices, such as the Samsung Gear VR, Gear 360 camera and our latest Galaxy S8 smartphone, allow consumers to have the ultimate gaming experience. Gaming is a serious business and gamers are looking to buy only the best devices possible to ensure them the best results. And Samsung is the best. Our immersive products amplify play by bringing fans and participants closer to the mettle of the game, capturing the spirit of gaming,” Fleischer concludes. * https://newzoo.com/

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

About MettlestateMettlestate has been over 15 years in the imagination and dreams of Barry “Anthrax” Louzada and three years in the making with Lewis “Vudulew” Williams, Thomas “Steigerz” Reid and Jonathan “Antagonist” Megit, along with the support of many eSports enthusiasts. Finally realised and made reality in 2016, it is now poised to take its rightful place on the eSports stage.

For further information, please contact:Corlette Bekker | Phathutshedzo NepfumbadaEpic MSLGroup | Samsung Electronics South Africa011 784 4790 | 011 549 1646 | 072 597 7558 | 071 671 2052corlette.bekker@epicmslgroup.com | p.nepfumbada@samsung.com